French Bulldog Rescue Highlights Uses Of Flock Surveillance In Bay Area

Patch incorrectly reported incorrectly about how Rohnert Park authorities identified two individuals. Officers used a Flock video camera and an ALPR camera to identify two people of suspected of abandoning a dog.

ROHNERT PARK-COTATI, CA — A French bulldog left tied to a fence along a creekside path sparked a community-wide effort that helped authorities identify two suspects now facing possible criminal charges.

The bulldog is being cared for by a local animal shelter. The two people believed to be responsible for the dog could face charges of willful animal abandonment and conspiracy to commit a crime.

The arrests were made using a combination of surveillance technology made by Flock, a company whose automated license plate readers— or ALPR— authorities have been trying to ease into communities across the Bay Area.

Rohnert Park authorities used recordings from a Flock video camera and an ALPR camera to identify the suspects — rather than an ALPR alone as Patch originally reported.

Flock has been the focus of scrutiny for months for the license plate readers installed on roadsides. Flock video cameras have less notoriety although they are both part of a larger suite of surveillance equipment made by the company and increasingly used by police departments around the Bay Area.

The investigation began May 28 after the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety received a report of a dark-colored French bulldog tied to a fence near the Santa Alicia footbridge on the Copeland Creek path.

The caller told dispatchers the dog appeared to have been abandoned. A community service officer responded to the area and found the dog still tied to the fence.

The officer transported the dog to the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter, where employees immediately recognized the animal.

Shelter staff told investigators that a woman had attempted to surrender the dog about an hour earlier but left with the animal after the shelter did not accept it.

Investigators launched an animal abandonment investigation and reviewed footage captured by a Flock video camera near the scene. The recording showed a man tying the dog to the fence and leaving it behind without food or water, authorities said.

Rohnert Park DPS later released footage on social media, asking the public for help identifying the person involved.

Community members quickly responded. Officials said numerous calls, messages, and tips poured in, helping investigators identify the male suspect seen in the video.

Authorities plan to submit the case to the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office for review and possible prosecution.

Investigators recommended misdemeanor charges against both suspects, including willful animal abandonment and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Officials said the case highlights the importance of seeking help when pet owners face financial or personal hardships. "Abandoning an animal is not the answer when help and resources are available," the department said in a statement.

The French bulldog remains safe and is being cared for at the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter.

Authorities credited residents for helping move the investigation forward. However, the department also identified the suspect who had brought the dog to the shelter using footage from a Flock video camera and a Flock ALPR, according to the news release.

Law enforcement officials and Flock executives have said the surveillance units are primarily designed for, and heavily restricted to, capturing vehicle data in public view.

"They are meant to focus on cars rather than individuals," according to Flock's website.

The Flock video camera is by the Rohnert Park Public Safety department in areas such as the creek path where the dog was left.

The camera was installed there as a public safety measure because of suspected gang activity, according to Tim Mattos, Rohnert Park director of public safety.

He said the video camera recorded the dog being left. The footage was shared by the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety on social media.

They also used the Flock ALPR footage and law enforcement databases.

Mattos said the public is aware of the use of video camera in Rohnert Park, but did not know how many had been approved. (He retired but was asked to return temporarily as an interim director of the department.)

He likened them to video cameras in stores and shopping centers.

Surveillance has become common enough that shoppers may assume cameras are present.

In contrast, the areas where the video cameras are used in Rohnert Park are public. Asked if the public is aware of their presence, Mattos said the cameras and their use would have been discussed at public council meetings.

In addition, the ALPR cameras and security cameras can be integrated, according to Flock's marketing material.

Subscribers to the video cameras can get "instant alerts for people and vehicles— no need for constant monitoring," according to Flock marketing material. They can also integrate with Flock ALPRs, as well as ALPR gunshot and drone systems, for "seamless investigations."