BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE: The Kern County District Attorney's Office released a statement on their Facebook page saying that they are continuing to review the evidence and that the decision on whether or what charges to file is one that they do not take lightly.
UPDATE: The attorney for the woman who allegedly dragged a dog behind an electric scooter has released a statement regarding the case.
"We have been 100% cooperative with the Bakersfield Police Department and their investigation. My client loves animals, especially Zebra, the dog who was shown in the video. We are confident that once law enforcement has concluded their investigation that this will be ruled an isolated incident. The dog is doing great and expected to have a full and short recovery."
23ABC has chosen to not release the woman's name because she has not been charged of any crimes. The attorney has requested that we do not use the woman's name as she has received death threats.
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A woman who allegedly dragged a small dog behind an electric scooter in Downtown Bakersfield has been released pending investigation. According to Bakersfield Police, the woman was not the owner of the dog. The dog has since been returned to its owner and received medical treatment.
Over the weekend, viewers sent in photos of a woman holding a dog with bloody paws to 23ABC, with captions saying the woman had allegedly dragged the dog behind an electric scooter.
On Sunday, January 6 at about 3 p.m., officers of BPD and Animal Control were dispatched to near 2100 Pine Street for a report of animal cruelty. Officers contacted witnesses who said they observed a female subject riding an electric scooter with a small dog being dragged.
Witnesses advised that they intervened and stopped the female but the dog had already sustained visible injury and then directed officers to an apartment complex where the woman was last seen.
Officers responded to an apartment near 2200 24th Street where they believed the woman entered and despite several attempts to contact the residents, officers were unsuccessful. Unable to determine if an offense had or had not occurred, officers gathered investigative information and cleared the scene pending a follow up investigation.
On Monday, officers followed up and were able to identify and contact all parties. They then contacted the woman who was interviewed and released pending further investigation. The dog was located in the care of a separate owner who investigators confirmed is the legal owner of the dog.
Investigators also determined that the owner took the dog to a local veterinarian where it was treated and released. The dog was permitted to remain in the care and custody of the legal owner.
At this time, the names of the involved parties are being withheld as this is an ongoing criminal investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.
