- WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT
This is the sickening moment a 15-year-old duck hunter beats and burns his whimpering dog, who has now been rehomed after the teenager was arrested for animal cruelty.
On Saturday, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office was made aware of a video circulating on social media showing a male abusing his pet Labrador on what appeared to be a hunting trip.
In what is extremely disturbing viewing, the person can be seen screaming at his dog, yelling swear words, choking him by the collar and repeatedly shocking him with an electric collar.
He then punches the lab over and over in the ear as the animal yelps in pain while the person filming and a third offscreen can be heard laughing and heckling.
In a statement released by Tangipahoa Sherriff's Office, the 15-year-old in the video has been arrested on one count of animal cruelty, while the other two in the video have been arrested on principal to animal cruelty.
In a video posted to social media, the 15-year-old can be seen screaming at his dog, yelling swear words and choking him by the collar
The pet labrador pictured with his owner, who has been arrested on one count of animal cruelty
The footage has been widely circulated on social media and led to a petition – which has so far received 114,000 signatures – being launched to remove the dog from the teen's legal care.
Tangipahoa Sherriff's Office has since confirmed that the dog has been surrendered to a new home while threats against the teens and their families ‘are under investigation'.
The parish said in a statement: ‘Since the day of the arrests, TPSO has been engaged with numerous animal welfare and legal experts as well as partner government agencies for consultation and collaboration regarding potential additional actions pertaining to the welfare of the dog. In that time, the dog has not been in the presence of any of the suspects.
‘However, cooperation from the suspect's family has led to an agreement to surrender the dog to a new home. The dog is scheduled to receive a full medical evaluation prior to that rehoming.
‘The Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services office is coordinating the rehoming and no assistance from the public is needed for that process at this time.'
The boy's family responded to the police, releasing a statement saying: ‘Devastated does not begin to cover how we feel about this entire situation.
‘Because we love our son, we are committed to ensuring that he learns appropriately from this experience through accountability measures in the court system and at home. And because we love our dog, we are committed to ensuring it has a home where it is safe.'
The dog owner repeatedly punches the lab in the face as the animal yelps in pain
He can also be seen repeatedly shocking him with an electric collar as two other people watch on and laugh
Animal Services director Chip Fitz added in a statement: ‘At Animal Services, our goal is to make sure that all necessary actions are taken in order to prevent any abuse.
‘At the same time, we must make sure the outcomes of any of those actions are good for all animals involved.'
Sheriff Gerald Sticker also said: ‘Our swift actions on this case should be indicative of our shared outrage with the public when it comes to the treatment of animals.
‘However, just as important as quickness is, so is thoroughness. Our investigations will be fact-based and diligent in order to present the next level, the court system, with the strongest case possible to achieve the most appropriate justice possible.'
Meanwhile, the sheriff's office will also be actively investigating threats made towards the suspects and their families.
The TPSO said it takes threats, in all forms, seriously and strongly discourages the public from continuing to spread information or ‘calls to action' in a vigilante fashion that threaten the safety of others.
