Woman faces charges after being caught on camera hitting dog
LEXINGTON, Tenn. — A local woman is now facing animal cruelty charges after a video posted online appears to show her violently hitting a dog.
A witness posted it to social media and the footage quickly went viral. We have more on the public’s response to the video, and what animal welfare officials are saying.
Shocking footage posted to social media captures the horrifying moment a woman brutally beats a dog, an act that has now led to criminal charges.
In the video, she hits the dog three times with what appears to be a closed fist as the animal lays on the concrete.
The person who took the video claimed law enforcement was notified of the incident.
Later on Monday, in a social media post, the Lexington Police Department says Kathleen Charles was charged with animal cruelty after police were dispatched to Walmart on West Church Street regarding a reported incident of animal cruelty that was captured on video.
Police further say in the post that “The dog in the case had no visible injuries and is no longer in the suspect’s custody.”
The video has been shared more than two thousand times, and received thousands of comments of people advocating for the animal. According to animal welfare officials, animal cruelty happens every day.
There are different levels of animal cruelty, ranging from training and participating in animal fighting to neglect and physical abuse.
“If someone sees an animal being abused or neglected or even if they just hear of this second-hand, speak up. Law enforcement works for the taxpayers in that community, and they can’t have their eyes and ears everywhere and so they do rely on the community coming forward,” said Michael Cunningham, shelter director for Animal Rescue Corps.
Wednesday, the Lexington Police Department said the animal was checked out by a vet and has been released back to the owner.
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA offer valuable resources for proper animal care. You can also reach out to a local veterinarian.
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