Crime & Safety

25 Dogs Seized From Actor in Santa Monica

Bit actor Andrew Bryniarski and girlfriend were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor animal cruelty in the Ocean Park neighborhood.

The actor who played Leatherface in two recent Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies was arrested in Santa Monica on suspicion of misdemeanor animal cruelty, and dozens of his dogs were seized.

Actor Andrew Bryniarski, 43, and girlfriend Jennifer Abram, 34, were arrested about 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the 2300 block of Third Street after police found he was allegedly hoarding dogs in kennels in the Ocean Park neighborhood, City News Service reported.

Police were called to the area by someone who complained of dogs barking in a motor home. When they arrived, officers found the motor home door ajar. Inside, there were stacks of dog kennels with multiple dogs in each kennel, and it smelled of urine, department spokesman Richard Lewis told CNS.

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According to CNS, About that time, Bryniarski and Abram walked up, along with several dogs, Lewis said. Police arrested the couple, and 25 dogs were seized by animal welfare officials, Lewis said

Bryniarski and Abram were booked and released, pending court appearances.

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Bryniarski, a bit player who has had made a living off secondary and supporting roles since the 90's, most notably appeared in Platinum Dunes' two recent Texas Chainsaw films as the murderous butcher Leatherface, as a tough teammate in slew of football films, such as The Program and Any Given Sunday, as well as Tim Burton's Batman Returns, according to his IMDb.com page. 

He has also appeared in episodes of Burn Notice, Without a Trace and the cult-favorite, Firefly.

Police received "multiple tips from a concerned neighbor who constantly heard the sound of crying dogs coming from [the actor's] pad," TMZ reported.

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