Long Beach authorities are investigating after a video showing a man violently abusing a dog was posted on social media today.
The video, which appears to have been taken from a security camera, was posted by someone seeking to identify the man on Nextdoor. The poster said it was recorded around 6 a.m. Monday in the 200 block of E. 12th Street.
Police confirmed the location and said officers have “responded to the area and taken an animal cruelty report.”
The video shows a man hoisting the dog off the ground by a leash, swinging the animal over his head and slamming it into the ground. He then kicks the dog, again yanks it off the ground by its neck and continues walking with the animal slung across his back.
The abuse occurred outside Beacon Pointe Apartments, according to the People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is also seeking information leading to the whereabouts of the dog “whose life is in danger” and may need veterinary care, the organization said.
The person of interest was depicted in the surveillance footage as wearing orange pants, a red flannel shirt and carrying a black backpack. He was also traveling with a skateboard. PETA is offering a $5,000 reward leading to his arrest and conviction.
“Dogs rely on us to keep them safe, and this dog suffered a violent attack that utterly betrayed that trust — and who knows what abuse he or she has suffered that hasn’t been caught on camera,” PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a statement.
“This dog will be in danger as long as he or she remains in this abuser’s clutches, and PETA urges anyone who recognizes the man in this video to come forward immediately — it could save this dog’s life,” she added.
The video was also shared to Instagram in an attempt to identify the man. It had been viewed tens of thousands of times by Monday evening.
“Animal abuse is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community,” police said.
They said Long Beach Animal Care Services is also investigating to try to “ensure the welfare of the animal involved.”
Police asked anyone with information to contact police dispatch at 562-435-6711.
City News Service contributed to this report.