Woman Arrested for Animal Cruelty After Cutting Dog’s Throat, Released by Courts on Her Own Recognizance

Just before 9 PM last night (October 16, 2024), Sheriff's North Patrol Deputies responded to an apartment complex on the 4000 block of Manzanita Avenue in Carmichael after a caller found a dog in a trash can with something tied around its neck. The caller reported the dog had a laceration under its throat but was still alive. Deputies arrived on scene and immediately contacted Sacramento County Animal Control.

Deputies learned from witnesses that the dog's owner lived in the complex. Deputies quickly identified the owner as 41-year-old Danielle Killian, who was then detained at her apartment. Killian lived alone with two dogs and one cat, for whom she was the sole care provider. Animal Control took the injured dog for medical treatment and took custody of the other dog.

Sheriff's Property Crimes Detectives arrived on scene and learned from Killian that she felt her life would be easier if she only had to care for one dog and cut one of the dog's throats on October 14. While the dog was still alive, she placed it in a shopping bag and disposed of it in the garbage bin at her apartment complex on October 15.

Detectives then executed a search warrant of her apartment, leading to the discovery of the knife presumably used in this incident. Killian was arrested and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail. She was granted release on her own recognizance by the courts and has since been released from custody.

Detectives could not locate the cat and fear other animals she may have cared for in the past may have suffered abuse, as she told Detectives she moved around regularly, as often as once a year. If you have information about this incident or others involving Killian, please contact the Sheriff's Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Tips leading to an arrest are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000, and tipsters remain anonymous. Tips are paid in cash, and you are never asked for identification. Contact Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357), 1-800-AA-CRIME, or **TIPS. Use the "P3 TIPS" app or online at www.sacvalleycrimestoppers.com. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).

Sergeant Amar Gandhi
Sheriff's Spokesman