38-year-old Juan Acosta was taken into custody for animal cruelty on March 7th. On March 4th, the general manager of the Church Street apartments, where Acosta lives, alerted Animal Control. When Animal Control arrived, the general manager provided them with video footage, which showed Acosta at the dog park, hitting his dog with the leash and trying to control it. Then, Acosta grabbed his dog with two hands, put him on his shoulder, and body-slammed him onto the floor. Afterward, Acosta picked his companion by the neck with two hands and “choked” him for nearly five seconds. The video then shows the witness confronting Acosta, who explained to officers that he observed Acosta get on one knee, pick up the dog, and slam it on the ground. The witness explained that they heard the dog welp multiple times in pain. He said that Acosta told him, “I am giving him a public beating!” Acosta was not present when the officers arrived. MACC has confirmed that Acosta’s dog survived the ordeal and is no longer in Acosta’s care. Acosta was taken into custody for animal cruelty on March 7th.
Juan Acosta body-slams his dog at dog park, tells witness “I am giving him a public beating!”
