By Jim Emerson
PITTSBURG, CA — Two women arrested recently face charges for felony animal cruelty and related
misdemeanors.
Both suspects are deemed responsible for kicking a small dog so hard that it became airborne and landed several feet away.
Graciela Amar, 18, of Oakland, and Lagashia S. Williams, 46, of Emeryville, were placed under arrest
on February 27. They were booked separately at the Martinez Detention Facility and West County
Detention Facility.
File Photo of Suspects | Courtesy of Pittsburg PD
Both women posted bond for release from custody. Their next scheduled court
appearance is April 9.
The two women and a man engaged in a dispute involving an elderly person on Feb. 19.
Apparently, the man’s elderly neighbor accidentally drove over some plants. Amar and Williams confronted the man about the
damaged plants. Amar allegedly retrieved what turned out to be an imitation firearm from a parked vehicle, and handed
it to Williams. The Contra Cost County District Attorney’s Office alleges that Williams brandished the
imitation weapon.
The man, appeared visibly shaken in a posted video of the incident. He backed way, picking up one of two dogs with him.
“As he was walking away, Williams told Amar to kick the other dog, which she did,” according to a prepared statement from the
DA’s office. Next the man took both dogs inside his house, and phoned 911.
Amar and Williams have each been charged with cruelty to an animal. Both also are charged with
misdemeanors for drawing or exhibiting an imitation firearm in a threatening manner.
