DAVID JOSEPH LIGUORI arrested after he was witnessed hitting a dog inside a parked pickup truck

- Virginia, USA -

~ Update: October 3, 2025

On October 2, 2025, DAVID JOSEPH LIGUORI (pictured), was in Harrisonburg/Rockingham General District Court, for a sentencing hearing related to an animal cruelty case and a hit-and-run of May 2025.

For the animal abuse charge, a judge gifted LIGUORI with 120 days behind bars with 115 suspended.

As for the count of hit and run, the same judge handed down a 30-day sentence that was completely suspended.

The judge ordered LIGUORI to pay restitution to the RHSPCA for their care of Ralphie, the furvictim whom LIGUORI abused. LIGUORI will not be allowed to “own” an animal for the next 2 years.

Additionally, LIGUORI was ordered to complete 10 days of litter pick up.

This is another example of judges who make animal cruelty a mockery.

~ Update: May 9, 2025

After hearing back from the Harrisonburg Police Department I learned the following: “Ralphie is a two-and-a-half-year-old shepherd mix. He is doing well and is in good spirits. Although Ralphie is a little anxious, which is to be expected in a new environment, he is adjusting.”

~ Original story:

The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) arrested 35-year-old DAVID JOSEPH LIGUORI (pictured), in connection with an animal cruelty case and a hit-and-run.

The police and Animal Control were investigating an animal abuse incident that took place on the evening of Friday, April 18, 2025, in the Lowe’s parking lot on Linda Lane off of East Market Street.

LIGUORI was witnessed hitting a dog inside a parked pickup truck. As witnesses tried to intervene, LIGUORI drove off hitting another vehicle as he left.

Officers responded to the scene in reference to a hit-and-run incident and the following day they learned from a social media post that the animal abuse incident and the hit-and-run were connected.

According to the press release by the Harrisonburg Police Department, officers “made contact with the author of the social media post who observed a male striking a dog inside a parked pick-up truck. Witnesses then attempted to intervene, and the driver fled the parking lot, striking another vehicle as he left.”

Police said that thanks to tips from the public as well as investigatory work from HPD Animal Control, LIGUORI was identified as the suspect and was taken into custody on the morning of May 7, 2025.

The furvictim, Ralphie, was first removed by Harrisonburg’s Animal Care and Control and then taken to the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA to be examined by a veterinarian.

LIGUORI is charged with one count of cruelty to animals, hit and run, and confinement of animals in vehicle prohibited.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Harrisonburg Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

LIGUORI's mugshot shared from the Harrisonburg Police Department

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