Bestiality Suspect's Mother: 'We Are Sorry'

The mother of a young man charged with sexually assaulting a San Pedro family's 80-pound Akita said in remarks published Thursday that she has apologized to the animal's owners and that her son needs help.

"Our prayers are with our son," Lisa Caceres, whose 22-year-old son, Christopher Caceres, remains in custody in county jail, told the Daily Breeze. "My husband and I had no idea. We already spoke to the people and told them the same thing. He needs help, and we are sorry about what happened."

Caceres' son pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of animal cruelty and sexual assault of an animal. The dog's owner discovered the crime Nov. 10 when he viewed home surveillance video that recorded a man engaging in sexual intercourse with the possibly drugged dog. Los Angeles police officers arrested Caceres on Nov. 14.

Lisa Caceres said her family moved into her mother's San Pedro home recently so she could care for the elderly woman, who has Alzheimer's disease.

"Unfortunately," she told The Breeze, "this happened."

Twice in recent months, the dog's owner heard his pet shriek during the night in the backyard in the 1900 block of Summerland Avenue, The Breeze reported. He suspected she was reacting to a prowler.

The owner then installed video equipment and was horrified Nov. 10 when he discovered what was on video from earlier that morning. He watched as a man fed the dog something, causing the animal to relax, and sexually assaulted her, according to the newspaper.