- California, USA -
The Anaheim Police Department announced that on April 18, 2024, Patrol Officers took 35-years-old JOSEPH MICHAEL SANDERS (pictured), into custody and booked him for an arrest warrant that had been issued for felony animal cruelty.
SANDERS was caught on video repeatedly kicking and beating a small dog. The incident happened on the morning of Sunday, April 7, 2024, in the 800 block of North Brookhurst Street in Anaheim.
FOX 11 Los Angeles reports that in the video, SANDERS “is seen walking from the street corner down into a berm. In one hand, he has a bike, in the other, he's carrying the small dog. Before walking down into the drainage ditch, the dog is heard yelping loudly.” Then, as SANDERS “continues closer to the camera, he drops the bike to the ground, takes a few more steps, then proceeds to dropkick the puppy. The scene continues just off camera, with the puppy wailing while the man is heard grunting as he kicks the dog over and over.”
According to ABC 7, a second video shows SANDERS “walk back to pick up his bike as the dog still follows closely behind.”
Ms. Alexa Pratt, PIO for Orange County Animal Care, told ABC 7 it's a heart-wrenching moment that shows animals just want unconditional love. She said: “They just want loving homes. They want to be with their people, so what we really want is for someone to call and have some information, hopefully, so we can get that dog away from that situation and into a loving family - a home where he's just loved and cherished.”
Police do not know where the dog is and are reaching out to the public for assistance.
If you have any information, please contact the Anaheim Police Department at (714) - 765 - 1900 or your local law enforcement agency. Thank you!
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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from Facebook posts published by the Anaheim Police Department and official news outlets. Links included.
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.
SANDERS’ mugshot shared from the Anaheim Police Department
