Three Ponchatoula teenagers charged with animal cruelty
TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. (WGNO) — Three Ponchatoula teenagers have been arrested in connection with a viral video showing a dog being abused.
According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, awareness of the video came about on July 27 and showed a male abusing a dog while on what appeared to be a hunting trip. A second person was evidently recording the video, while a third was also present, with neither of them intervening to help the dog.
Detectives found that the incident occurred in the Manchac area in early 2023, subsequently discovering that the three people associated with the videos were teenagers from Ponchatoula.
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Warrants were obtained for their arrests and all three of the suspects were found at their homes.
One 15-year-old boy is being charged on one count of animal cruelty, while the other two 15-year-old boys are each being charged with one count of principle to animal cruelty.
The dog in the video was also found, and appeared to be both happy and healthy.
Following the arrests of the three teenagers, the TPSO has communicated with many animal welfare and legal experts in addition to partner government agencies in reference to any additional action that should be taken for the health and safety of the dog. The dog hasn’t been in the presence of any of the suspects during that time.
As the investigation has continued, the suspect’s family agreed to surrender the dog to a new home after it receives a full medical evaluation. The rehoming will be coordinated by the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services office.
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“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,”
said the main suspect’s parent.
Investigation is also being done into multiple threats made toward the suspects and their families, primarily coming from outside the Tangipahoa Parish community. TPSO officials stated that, all threats, in all forms, are taken seriously. The sheriff’s office also strongly discourages the public from spreading any information or “calls to action” that threaten the safety of others.
TPSO detectives are communicating with other agencies to potentially take further action as the investigation into the initial case continues.
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