Allegedly Abused, Tormented Dog Rescued By Santa Cruz Co. Shelter Officials

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A Watsonville man was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty this week, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter officials said. Dustin Davis, 44, was recorded by a neighbor as he allegedly abused and tormented the dog on July 17 while in the yard of a home located in the 100 block of Paseo Drive in Watsonville.

“Animal Shelter officers obtained a search warrant for the home and discovered Davis was a former boyfriend of the resident of the home, who was out of town when the incident occurred,” officials said in a statement. “The dog, obtained by the owner free of charge on Craigslist, was seized and brought to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter for treatment by a staff veterinarian.”

Officials said Davis was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail.

"Without the assistance of the alert citizen videotaping this egregious event, this subject would not have been caught,” Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Field Services Manager Todd Stosuy said. “We hope this story empowers citizens to use their cell phones to capture cases of animal cruelty and neglect so that we can ensure justice is served."

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch