A man from North Hollywood is facing some serious charges, including a felony for animal cruelty, after prosecutors allege he killed his girlfriend’s pet rabbit during a violent outburst. Nikolas Hart, 25, is currently being held on a $150,000 bail following the incident.
According to New York Post, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has accused Hart of killing a two-month-old rabbit named Momo. This tragic event allegedly occurred during a domestic violence incident, which has led to multiple charges against him.
Prosecutors claim the horrifying incident took place on February 11, around 9 PM, while Hart was living with his girlfriend. He’s accused of stomping on the defenseless rabbit in a fit of rage. After that, he allegedly put the animal in a trash bag and then threw it from the second-story apartment the couple shared. It’s truly awful to think about. The poor rabbit, Momo, tragically died from blunt force trauma to the chest, abdomen, and face.
This wasn’t just a fight, it ended with a brutal act
Hart is facing one felony count of animal cruelty, which is a pretty severe charge. On top of that, he’s also looking at several misdemeanor charges. These include injuring a spouse or cohabitant, attempting to dissuade a victim or witness, and three counts of violating a court order that prohibited contact with the victim. It really paints a picture of a pattern of behavior, which is never good, especially considering that domestic violence can escalate to a level where a partner fears for their life.
The court has also taken steps to prevent any future incidents involving animals, issuing a protective order that prohibits Hart from owning, possessing, or caring for any animals. This is a crucial step, especially given the severity of the alleged cruelty.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman didn’t mince words regarding the allegations, saying, “This defendant is accused of assaulting his girlfriend on prior occasions, then later killing a defenseless animal in a violent outburst. That kind of criminal behavior will land you in prison. We will prove these charges in court and seek the full punishment under the law.”
It’s clear the DA’s office is taking this very seriously, as they absolutely should. Hart has entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges. His preliminary hearing is set for April 16, where more details are expected to emerge. If he is ultimately convicted of these charges, he could be facing up to eight years in state prison.
It’s a stark reminder of the consequences when alleged violence, especially against vulnerable beings, comes to light.
Published: Apr 7, 2026 02:15 pm