Newbury Park Man Sentenced in Animal Cruelty Case

By Redaccion
[email protected]

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that on December 13, 2023, Miles Matthew Berry (DOB 02/21/89), of Newbury Park, was sentenced to 180 days in Ventura County Jail and 24 months of formal probation.

As part of his probation terms, Berry is prohibited from owning any animals. Berry had previously pled guilty on November 9, 2023, to felony commercial burglary over $950 and felony cruelty to an animal.

He also admitted to the special allegation that the crime involved great violence.

In the early morning hours of June 9, 2022, Berry burglarized Paw Works, an animal rescue shelter located in Camarillo. He took a German Shepherd puppy named Pretty Girl. Berry was seen on surveillance video hitting Pretty Girl as she resisted being taken from her individual kennel. Hours later, Pretty Girl was discovered running between cars on U.S. Highway 101, gravely injured. Due to those injuries, Pretty Girl was euthanized.

Berry returned to Paw Works a second time after hours on September 4, 2022. He was seen on video tampering with a surveillance camera and turning it away. The alarm at Paw Works sounded and no additional animals were taken. After a thorough investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, deputies identified and arrested Berry on September 28, 2022.

Deputy District Attorney Nadia Aboujawdah, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office General Trials Unit, prosecuted the case.

“The tragic loss of Pretty Girl has left a hole in the hearts of many at Paw Works and within the surrounding community,” Ms. Aboujawdah said. “I am pleased to see the defendant is being held accountable for his actions, and hopeful that this conviction brings some peace and closure to those who loved and cared so deeply for Pretty Girl. We will strive to continue protecting our local businesses, while sending the message that the mistreatment of innocent animals in this community will not be tolerated.”

Berry will begin serving his jail sentence on December 28, 2023. A restitution hearing is also scheduled for January 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Case: 2022024848

Defendant Information:

Miles Matthew Berry (DOB 02/21/89)
Newbury Park

Charges Pled Guilty to:

PC 459 – Commercial burglary over $950
PC 597(b) – Cruelty to an animal

Special Allegations:

CRC 4.421(a)(1) – The crime involved great violence