Steven Seagal killed my puppy, says arrested man

Steven Seagal (right). Photo / Supplied

Actor Steven Seagal has been accused of killing a family's puppy.

The claim has been made by Arizona man Jesus Sanchez Llovera after a raid by armed detectives filming a reality TV programme in which the veteran actor works as a volunteer police officer.

According to legal papers filed in Phoenix, Llovera wants US$100,000 ($117,400) in compensation, plus a written apology from Seagal and the local police chief for the incident in March, during which he was arrested on suspicion of running an illegal cockfighting ring.

Llovera denies the charge, and claims Seagal and his colleagues killed more than 100 prize chickens being bred for show.

An 11-month-old puppy was also shot and killed during the early morning raid, he alleges.

Seagal has for months been working with Joe Arpaio, the right-wing Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, famed for his zero-tolerance approach to policing and his dedication to the cause of rounding up suspected illegal immigrants.

In a series of operations filmed for the TV show Steven Seagal: Lawman, the former action hero has dressed in camouflage gear and wraparound sunglasses to participate in gung-ho arrests of suspected criminals.

The raid on Llovera's property was a typical operation. Seagal joined a squadron of heavily armed riot police who drove a tank through the front gates before kicking down the door of the house and rushing inside.

Llovera did not resist the officers, but says he was nonetheless roughed-up and "substantial" damage was done to his home.

The arrest, and the alleged shooting of the puppy - "a beloved family pet" - took place while his young children were present.

The case has racial overtones, since Llovera is of Hispanic heritage.

Members of Phoenix's Latino community have long said they are discriminated against by Arpaio, who is famed for arresting illegal immigrants at roadblocks and making prison inmates wear pink pyjamas.

Llovera denies all charges of breeding chickens for cockfighting. He says the raid was "unfounded" and the use of force in the arrest was disproportionate.

Neither Arpaio nor Seagal has responded to his claims.

However the actor is unlikely to take kindly to allegations of being involved in the death of a puppy - in interviews he has spoken out against animal cruelty.

- Independent