WARNING: GRAPHIC!
SANTA ANA—A transient probationer in Santa Ana was jailed Tuesday, March 5, on suspicion of binding a runaway Chihuahua and repeatedly kicking the dog.
Jose Manuel Pantoja is accused of wrapping a bungee cord around the dog’s throat and chest and binding his legs with electrical wires, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
“Santa Ana Police arrested a man [Jose Manuel Pantoja, 28] on Sunday after he allegedly bound a dog with electrical wires and bungee cords before repeatedly kicked the animal.” https://t.co/mehfMOejhg
— Jesse Wooten (@JesseWooten18) March 6, 2019
A woman noticed a man–later identified as Pantoja–kicking the animal about 10:20 p.m. Sunday at 431 E. First St., Bertagna alleged.
“She yells at him to stop but realizes he’s probably on drugs and shouldn’t do this so she calls us and gives us details,” he said. “When we got there, he’s standing over the dog and we took him into custody.”
Advisory: SAPD Arrest Suspect For Animal Cruelty – Victim Dog Is Reunited With His Family
Arrested: Jose Manuel Pantoja (28) TransientCharges: PC 597 Cruelty to AnimalOn Sunday, 3-3-2019, at approximately 10:20 pm officers responded to a call for service where a witness was reporting a small dog that was being abused behind the businesses located at 431 East First Street. The calling party reported a male Hispanic adult had used wires to tie the dog’s legs and was kicking him repeatedly. Officers were directed by the witness to the area and found suspect Jose Manuel Pantoja standing over the small dog. He was immediately taken into custody by officers without incident. Officers found the small brown male Chihuahua with a bungee cord around his throat and chest. The dog also had multi-colored electrical wire around his legs. Officers transported the injured dog to Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic for treatment. The dog had multiple visible injuries. The suspect, Jose Manuel Pantoja was transported to SAPD Jail where he was booked for Cruelty to Animals. The suspect informed officers the dog did not belong to him and that it was just following him around and he did not know whose it was. On 3-4-2019, officers following up on the investigation were able to locate the dog’s owners. The small dog had escaped their yard after someone had left the gate open. The family was distraught and had been looking for their dog throughout the night. The 13-year-old dog “Max” has been with the family since he was a small puppy and is considered a member of the family. SAPD is working to reunite MAX with his family today.The family was distraught and had been looking for their 13-year-old dog “Max" throughout the night, SAPD is working to reunite MAX with his family today.
Posted by Santa Ana Police Officers Association on Tuesday, 5 March 2019
Pantoja is being held without bail.
Court records show he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury on Nov. 16, 2018, in a plea deal in which a robbery charge was dropped. He was sentenced to three years probation and a year in jail, according to court records.
The 13-year-old pet, Max, was rushed to the Orange County Emergency Pet Clinic to be treated and was taken to an OC Animal Care facility, where he will be reunited with his owners.
.@SantaAnaPD has arrested Jose Pantoja on suspicion of animal cruelty. Officers were called to reports of suspect kicking small dog after tying its legs together. Dog had escaped his yard. Officers reunited dog with owners, “Max” continues to recover at vet. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/8B14EaaXph
— Greg Lee (@abc7greg) March 5, 2019
Bertagna says Max went missing after the family left their gate open.
On Tuesday afternoon, the family was reunited with Max.
Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty effects reach beyond the animal victims, noted researchers for the Animal Welfare Institute in a 2012 report (pdf).
“Accumulating empirical evidence is demonstrating a strong association between animal cruelty and other crimes, including interpersonal violence, illegal possession of drugs and guns, and property destruction,” researchers stated.
“Moreover, participation in animal cruelty in childhood is a significant marker for the development of aggressive and anti-social behavior, as well as a predictor of individuals who might engage in domestic violence.”
Nearly every state has passed laws making animal cruelty a felony in some or all cases, the researchers said, “a dramatic change” in how the crimes are viewed and prosecuted.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, hoarding behavior can hurt animals, with women as the main culprits; animal abusers, meanwhile, are most often men.
“Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30.”
