Man Beats Dog With Bat, Faces Several Charges: Officials

HYATTSVILLE, MD — After being accused of beating a dog with a ball bat for six minutes, during which time the dog was "vocalizing distress," a Hyattsville man has been arrested and charged in connection to the crime, police say.

Calvin Shamberger, 42, has been indicted by a Charles County grand jury for the incident, which happened Jan. 20.

Charles County animal control officers were called to a property located in the 9300 block of Crain Highway and were shown video camera footage of a man, later identified as Shamberger, beating a dog with a baseball bat. Two days later, officers arrested Shamberger, according to county officials.

According to charging documents, camera footage showed the six-minute-long attack by Shamberger on the dog. The dog has been identified as belonging to Shamberger. It was seized and has been provided with veterinary care, officials said.

Shamberger has been indicted on one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animal charge and three animal cruelty-related misdemeanors. He is due back in court on March 13 for an initial appearance.

If you have concerns about the safety of animals in your community, call Charles County Animal Control at 301-609-3425.