SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HUMANE OFFICERS ARE INVESTIGATING A CASE OF ALLEGED ANIMAL CRUELTY AT A RESTAURANT OVER THE WEEKEND. OFFICIALS SAY HEAD CHEF 35-YEAR-OLD DANY PENA ARRIVED AT SOUTH BEACH PIZZA COMPANY SATURDAY TO FIND TWO EMPLOYEES POURING BLEACH ON A BABY OPOSSUM INSIDE A TRASHCAN. THE EMPLOYEES TOLD PENA THE RESTAURANT’S OWNERS ORDERED THEM TO KILL THE ANIMAL. PENA TOOK THE POSSUM TO A RESCUE CENTER WHERE IT DIED AN HOUR LATER. THE CHEF QUIT SHORTLY AFTER WITNESSING THE INCIDENT. THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER IS LOOKING INTO THE CASE.
