Suspect Arrested in Alleged Dog Beating

On November 17, the Central California SPCA received a call from a concerned citizen who reported his neighbor was beating and kicking his small dog and he could hear the dog crying. One of our Humane Officers was immediately dispatched to the scene in the Fresno Street and Ashlan Avenue area. The suspect claimed there was no dog on the property. However, our Humane Officer could clearly see evidence of a dog being there, such as food and water dishes. The suspect’s brother confirmed there was a dog on the property in the backyard.Our Humane Officer requested and received assistance from the Fresno Police Department to conduct a search of the back yard. There, she found a sealed plastic Walmart bag with a small, deceased dog inside. There were no obvious signs of trauma and it is feared the dog may have been suffocated.The suspect was then arrested by our Humane Officer for a violation of California Penal Code 597(a), Malicious Intent to Harm an Animal, and was transported to the Fresno County Jail by Fresno Police Officers. The victim dog, a female Maltese, was transported to Tulare for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.The Central California SPCA would like to thank the Fresno Police Officers for their assistance in this matter. Together, we bring those who abuse animals to justice.If you are aware of an incident of animal cruelty or neglect within the city or county of Fresno, please report it to the Central California SPCA at (559) 233-7722 (SPCA).