Abuse Of Caged Dog In Viral Video Leads To Arrest Of Waterbury Woman: Police

WATERBURY, CT — A city woman has been charged with cruelty to animals after a viral video showed her abusing a caged dog, according to police.

The video prompted an outcry from the public and a petition calling for her arrest.

Sgt. Joseph Morais said police identified the woman in the video as Marilyn Valdez, 22, of Waterbury.

Valdez was taken into custody Tuesday and charged on a warrant with malicious or intentional cruelty to animals, a felony.

On Aug. 28, the video, which police believe was taken about a year ago, resurfaced on social media platforms and “quickly went viral,” according to police. It shows a dog being abused in one crate, while a second dog is in a crate nearby. Waterbury police posted the video on the department’s Instagram page while providing an update on the case.

Waterbury police and animal control officers went to the address where the two dogs live, Morais said.

“Officers confirmed that both dogs were happy, in good health, and showed no signs of abuse or neglect,” police said, in a news release Wednesday. “Officers also confirmed that, at the time of the investigation, the woman depicted in the video did not have custody of or contact with either dog.”

Desmond's Army Animal Law Advocates spearheaded a Change.org petition calling for the woman’s arrest. It had garnered more than 1,480 signatures as of Wednesday. Advocates also spoke at a recent city meeting demanding action.

“The video, which authorities have confirmed is approximately one year old, shows a woman recording herself as she uses a shock device on a dog confined in a cage and then uses a pole through the slats of that cage to repeatedly impale and strike the animal,” the petition states. “The dog whimpers and cowers. A second dog is also present. This is not ambiguous footage. It is recorded evidence of a helpless animal being deliberately hurt while trapped and unable to escape or defend itself.”

“The fact that the dogs appear healthy today does not erase what was done to them,” the petition states. “Fear, pain, and trauma are harm. Video of that harm is evidence.”

Robin “Zilla” Cannamela, president and cofounder of Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates, said she wants to thank Waterbury police for taking the matter seriously and making an arrest.

“The dog was in a crate, terrified and couldn’t get away,” she said. “The dog was showing fear and pain.”

Police thanked the community for bringing the matter to their attention.

“The Waterbury Police Department takes incidents involving animal abuse seriously and remains committed to thoroughly investigating allegations of animal cruelty and pursuing appropriate criminal charges when warranted,” police said.

Valdez was held on a $55,000 bond and presented in court this morning.