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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.


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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!






 
 
 

Prince George’s County Police Department Corporal DAVID ACOSTA charged for mistreating two dogs

- Maryland, USA -

 

The Prince George’s County Police Department has charged Corporal DAVID ACOSTA (pictured), a Canine Section officer, with a total of four counts of animal cruelty stemming from the mistreatment of two dogs assigned to him.

 

An initial press release by the police, announced that ACOSTA had been charged with three counts of animal cruelty, one of which is a felony, in connection with the mistreatment of a two-year-old bloodhound named Daisy. In an update, police advised that ACOSTA is additionally facing a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty in reference to a seven-year-old Belgian Malinois named Spartacus.  

 

According to police, on July 14, 2024, the department suspended ACOSTA “for an unrelated incident.” As part of that suspension process, Daisy and Spartacus were removed by two Canine Section handlers. After the furvictims were picked up, “the handlers observed injuries related to an e-collar on Daisy’s neck. She was brought to a veterinarian for treatment. Daisy also had other medical conditions that required medical care”, stated the release.

 

The Internal Affairs Division then launched an investigation that ultimately resulted in the charges being filed against ACOSTA.

  

Police said that ACOSTA joined the Prince George’s County Police Department in 2006. He’s  currently assigned to the Special Operations Division. He will be suspended without pay.

 

Meanwhile, Daisy and Spartacus have been permanently removed from ACOSTA’s care and have been reassigned to two veteran handlers within the section. Thankfully, Daisy is fine and the police said she is back at work.

 

Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz said in a statement: “This situation involving Daisy is appalling. She is a part of the PGPD family. I expect that all of our handlers treat their canine partners with the utmost care and concern. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first incident of animal mistreatment in the 60-year history of the Canine Section. We have now put new policies into place with the intention of this being both the first and last. This investigation is in the early stages and will be thorough. I too want to know how this occurred. In the meantime, I’m glad to report that Daisy is doing well and back to work. Bloodhounds play a crucial role in our agency’s service to the community, primarily with assisting in searches for missing people.”

 

This remains an active internal investigation. Anyone who has information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact the Internal Affairs Division at (301) - 516 - 5721. Thank you!

  

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Prince George’s County 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.

  



 

 
 
 

TRAVIS RAY SNUFFER, chief of the Pennsboro PD, arrested for leaving his K9 in his police cruiser

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

- West Virginia, USA -

 

On June 20, 2024, the West Union Police Department filed a complaint against Pennsboro Police chief TRAVIS RAY SNUFFER (pictured via WBOY) accusing him of leaving his K9 Officer Judge in a hot car.

 

According to the complaint, SNUFFER “actually left his police K9 (Judge) in the backseat of his 2009 Dodge Charger police cruiser,” reported WBOY.

 

The news outlet further reported, “The complaint noted that the vehicle was ‘inoperable’ and that ‘all windows were open and no air conditioning was available’ and that the outside temperature ‘was between 85 and 90 degrees with hot sun shining over the vehicle’.”

 

Reportedly, while K9 Officer Judge was locked up in the hot vehicle, SNUFFER had left his West Union residence and went to Clarksburg.

 

SNUFFER was arrested on June 21, 2024, and charged with cruelty to animals.

On June 22, 2024, he pleaded not guilty. Two days later, he posted a $6,000 bond.

 

As reported by WBOY, SNUFFER’s significant other told them that K9 Officer Judge and SNUFFER’s previous K9, 13-year-old Officer Dexter, were taken and are safe.

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from 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.

 


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