top of page

ALL POSTS

Search

VINCENT CLAY COSTNER II, Gastonia Police officer, arrested and accused of torturing a dog

- 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.


###


Voice For Us Disclaimer: 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.


COSTNER’s mugshots shared from the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.


For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!






Investigation underway after a defenseless opossum was intentionally set on fire

- North Carolina, USA -


“To say that we are sick to the stomach is an absolute understatement,” this how a Facebook post by the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center begins after an innocent and defenseless opossum was intentionally set on fire.


The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the FBI are investigating the incident which took place on April 25, 2025, in Charlotte.


The three evil scum responsible for the vile act filmed the incident and then posted the video on their social media accounts. The sickening video showed them squirt lighter fluid at the helpless opossum before setting him/her on fire.


WCCB reports: “Those three people are not just cruel but also stupid, as it appears they uploaded the video online to their own social media accounts, making it easy to identify them. In fact, on Friday night they were online bragging about it.”


Officials with the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center say the three individuals could face felony charges.

Morgan Rafael, founder and executive director of the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center, also said in the Facebook post: “We have seen hateful acts against wildlife, the abuse and cruelty that they suffer every single day but for someone to take a flame torch to an opossum is really beyond imagination. This is as close to evil as someone can get. No animal, human, living creature deserves such hate.”


I have emailed the FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to inquire about the investigation. If I get a response, I will post an update.


I took the liberty of naming the Voiceless Victim Sweetie for the tribute image.


###


Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.


For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!






BENITO SEGURA PENALOZA arrested after Forsyth County authorities bust illegal cockfighting activity

- North Carolina, USA -


The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21-year-old BENITO SEGURA PENALOZA (pictured).


On April 14, 2025, FCSO Animal Services received a complaint about possible animal abuse at a property on 4381 Ben Lane in Walkertown.


An initial investigation led to the discovery and rescue of fifty-four (54) roosters as well as the confiscation of paraphernalia related to cockfighting.


As the investigation progressed, deputies acquired additional information that led them to an additional location. As a result, on April 17, 2025, deputies executed a search warrant at a property on 4411 Rocklane Drive where eighty-five (85) more roosters were discovered and removed along with “numerous additional paraphernalia items related to cockfighting and illegal drugs”, said the sheriff’s office.


The sheriff’s office tells me that no deceased animals were found on the properties.


Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Animal Services officers have charged SEGURA PENALOZA with one felony count of cockfighting and one felony count of possession of a schedule II controlled substance.


SEGURA PENALOZA was transported to the Forsyth County Detention Center and given a $10,000 secure bond.


###


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office provided to Voice For Us. 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.


Arrestee’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office


For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!




 
 
 

Subscribe Form

© 2025 Voice For Us

Privacy Policy

FAQ

bottom of page