Officers seized one adult dog, four puppies, and one cat in a Washington, D.C. home on Tuesday, October 22 as a result of an investigation by the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) into suspected animal cruelty.
The rescue operation took place “under a search and seizure warrant obtained by HRA Humane Law Enforcement Officers,” according to a statement issued by the HRA, which also mentioned a deceased guinea pig discovered in the house.
The group is expecting the public’s help in order to locate two other dogs that are believed to live there.
The investigation was launched following allegations about a man “hitting and abusing a dog in his backyard” at the 1300 block of Nicholson Street Northwest, WTOP reported, attributing the information to an officer, who took part in the operation. A search and seizure warrant was subsequently obtained by HRA Humane Law Enforcement Officers.
One of the complainants claimed that a man “picked up at least one dog by the neck and repeatedly punched the animal in the abdomen,” the HRA statement said. Another person reported on the same day that they witnessed a man beating two dogs in the same manner described in the initial complaint. The description of the perpetrator from both witnesses matched each other.
“Anyone capable of such a heinous act of cruelty is a truly dangerous person,” Chris Schindler, vice president of Field Services at the Humane Rescue Alliance, said about the incident. “We’ll continue to investigate this case to seek justice for the animals and to ensure the safety of the entire community.”
The animals were reportedly found living in unhygienic conditions and in a cramped space.