'It's horrific': Animal advocates ask for help finding man caught beating puppy
WARNING: The contents of this story are disturbing
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma City animal advocates and law enforcement are asking for the public's help finding a man caught on camera beating a dog and walking away.
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare told News 4 on Tuesday it got a call last month after a local business owner in the 3700 block of S. Missouri Ave., near SE Grand Blvd. and I-35, found a dog dead.
Animal Welfare Superintendent Jon Gary told News 4 that the animal had been hit by a vehicle, but that the business owner also found video of the recorded beating involving the second dog.
"You could tell by the video that it's very you know, it is, it's horrific what happened to this puppy," said Gary. "It is kind of hard to see, but we're hoping there's enough that our public can help us identify the gentleman."
The incident in question, according to Gary and the video itself, happened just before midnight March 27.
Gary broke down the video for News 4, which was shared Tuesday by the Oklahoma City Police Department, but some of what can't be seen in that clip is even more disturbing than what is seen.
"It's obviously a small puppy that's involved," said Gary. "He's punched multiple times by the gentleman as well as stomped on and kicked."
Before that, Gary and police say the man carried the puppy down the street by its back legs, dragging its nose on the pavement before placing it on the curb.
After the beating Gary described, he said the video also shows the man picking the puppy up and throwing it on the ground before he leaves.
"It's important that these individuals are identified because usually these things progress," said Gary.
Gary described instances of a situation like this likely indicated an individual's willingness to commit more violent acts like domestic violence or even killing people.
News 4 asked Gary if there are any leads in the case.
"We did get a possible name of someone," said Gary. "But it's so vague and we're not quite sure so our investigators are still looking into that."
Gary said investigators believe the man likely does not live too far from the initial scene and are asking anyone who might recognize him to come forward.
"If you live in that area, if this gentleman looks familiar to you at all, please contact us," said Gary.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact OKC Crime Stoppers by calling 405-235-7300, submitting an anonymous tip online or by contacting Animal Welfare's field services team.