Loudoun Investigates Animal Torture Videos Posted On Instagram

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Loudoun County Animal Services, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police are conducting an investigation into the posting of videos and photographs portraying graphic and disturbing acts of animal torture on Instagram.

The person posting the videos is seen committing heinous acts of animal cruelty, while demanding that viewers send them money in order to prevent future acts of cruelty from occurring, officials said.

Although the internet protocol (IP) addresses attached to the videos indicate the incidents occurred in and around Ashburn, the ongoing investigation has determined that these videos likely originated outside the United States.

Loudoun County has no jurisdiction for prosecuting animal cruelty cases that occur outside the country. The county will notify local authorities if the location in which the videos were produced can be identified, according to law enforcement.

Animal cruelty videos of this nature are considered state and federal felonies, with penalties to include a fine and up to seven years of incarceration, in addition to state penalties relating to financial crimes, officials said.

Anyone with direct knowledge of this case is encouraged to call Loudoun County Animal Services at 703-777-0406.