UPDATE: Dog in Animal Cruelty Video to be Surrendered - Threats Toward Suspects, Families Under Investigation

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office reports today (July 30, 2024) that the dog at the center of a viral video of animal cruelty that led to the arrest of three Ponchatoula teenagers is being surrendered to a new home while threats against the teens and their families are under investigation.

On Saturday (July 27, 2024), the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a video that was circulating on social media showing a male abusing a dog on what appeared to be a hunting trip. It was determined this incident occurred in the Manchac area a year-and-a-half ago (early 2023) and that there were three people involved in the video, all 3 whom are 15-year-old boys today. 

One was arrested on one count of Animal Cruelty; the other two were each arrested on one count of Principal to Animal Cruelty.

Click here for our original reporting

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.

“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.

“At Animal Services, our goal is to make sure that all necessary actions are taken in order to prevent any abuse,” said Director Chip Fitz,” At the same time, we must make sure the outcomes of any of those actions are good for all animals involved.”

“Our swift actions on this case should be indicative of our shared outrage with the public when it comes to the treatment of animals,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker, “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.”

The press release added, “In addition, the TPSO is actively investigating multiple threats made toward the suspects and their families mostly stemming from outside of our community. The TPSO takes all 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 especially members of the Tangipahoa Parish community that we are honored to serve and protect.”