Footage of a person dragging his tumbling and helpless canine behind his sport utility automobile by the streets of jap San Diego County created such a fervor that the accused turned himself in, authorities lately introduced.
Joseph Holland, a 58-year-old transient, was recognized July 3, lower than 24 hours after a graphic video was launched publicly by San Diego County officers and carried on social media and native tv information.
Holland was booked on animal cruelty fees, in line with Vaughn Maurice, director of San Diego County Animal Companies. He mentioned a case had been forwarded to the county district legal professional’s workplace.
“That is an extremely unhappy and disturbing case,” Maurice mentioned in a press release. “Whereas we’re grateful to have recognized the individual accountable, our hearts break for this canine and what it endured.”
Tanya Sierra, assistant director of communications for San Diego County’s district legal professional, mentioned the case was nonetheless being investigated. She added that, in the intervening time, the D.A.’s workplace wouldn’t “speculate on whether or not fees will likely be filed or what they is likely to be.”
A consultant for Holland was not accessible for remark.
Footage from a trailing automobile reveals a red-and-brown Doberman pinscher, who later was euthanized, being dragged behind an older-model black Jeep Cherokee SUV on Wednesday round 5:45 p.m.
The canine rolled, flipped and tumbled because the automobile traveled about 30 miles per hour alongside Edgewood Drive in Spring Valley, in line with San Diego County Animal Companies.
Witnesses instructed investigators that the animal was dragged for a number of minutes down one other road as bystanders unsuccessfully tried to cease the automobile.
Although the footage clearly confirmed the SUV’s license plate, investigators had bother figuring out the motive force as a result of the automobile could have been owned by one other individual.
Investigators obtained an surprising break when the canine’s proprietor contacted Animal Companies on Thursday to substantiate that he was the motive force, in line with authorities.
Maurice mentioned he “was very shocked” by the decision, given the character of the “actually horrible” video.
Animal Management officers arrived at Holland’s home to substantiate his id. Holland knowledgeable them that he had simply euthanized the animal at a veterinary clinic.
“He instructed us it was a horrific accident,” Maurice mentioned.
Officers rushed to the vet’s workplace to protect the stays for proof earlier than the canine was cremated.
Maurice mentioned Holland instructed authorities that he stationed his automobile at a close-by park to make use of the restroom and tied his canine to the again of the automobile.
He then returned to the SUV and mentioned he forgot the canine was nonetheless restrained when he drove off.
“We wish to thank the media and everybody in the neighborhood who shared this story and offered data,” Maurice mentioned. “Your efforts had been instrumental in serving to us establish the person concerned and transfer towards justice for this harmless animal.”
