Lily the Chihuahua dies after being hit with golf club

A 9-year-old Chihuahua that was struck with a golf club in Riverside County on Thursday has died of its injuries, authorities said Friday.

Larry Edward Jaurequi, 58, of Menifee was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty for allegedly striking the dog with the club, unprovoked.

The dog, Lily, suffered a lacerated liver, broken leg and head trauma, said Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Cpl. Courtney Donowho.

The incident happened after two dogs, the Chihuahua and a poodle mix, became loose in the area of High Ridge Circle in Perris while their owner was at work.

According to investigators, Jaurequi grabbed a golf club and then approached the two dogs when they wandered into a cul-de-sac around 2:15 p.m. He then swung the club at the Chihuahua "as if driving a golf ball off its tee. The force of the swing sent the animal flying through the air,'' sheriff's authorities said in a statement released to the press.

The dogs' owner found an injured Chihuahua as Jaurequi was walking away, and then rushed the animal to an emergency veterinarian.

"It was totally unprovoked,'' Donowho said. "The dog owner and the suspect did not know each other. We haven't received any complaints about the dog or the suspect in the past.''

Donowho said there was no evidence that Jaurequi was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Jaurequi is being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta in lieu of $5,000 bail.

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-- Phil Willon in Riverside

Photo: Larry Edward Jaurequi. Credit: Riverside County Sheriff's Department