- North Carolina, USA -
The Gastonia Police Department arrested 41-year-old corporal VINCENT CLAY COSTNER II (pictured).
The arrest warrant accuses COSTNER of torturing a black 1 year and 4-month-old Great Dane on March 31, 2025, causing “unjustifiable pain and suffering.”
Gastonia Police said they launched an investigation into COSTNER earlier this year when “concerns were brought to the attention of local authorities.”
The investigation resulted in COSTNER’s arrest on April 28, 2025. COSTNER was booked into the Gaston County Jail on one felony count of cruelty to animals and was released less than half an hour later after posting a $5,000 bond.
Gastonia Police Chief Trent Conrad expressed his disappointment and said: “I am deeply disappointed by this situation. We hold our officers to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty. No one — especially those who are entrusted with protecting the public — is above the law.”
COSTNER has been with the department since December 15, 2020, and his current employment status is unknown.
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COSTNER’s mugshots shared from the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.
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