Cellphone video of dog’s beating leads to Lancaster man’s arrest

A Lancaster man was arrested after authorities viewed a cellphone video that allegedly shows him brutally beating and slamming a leashed dog to the ground.

Robert Martin, 53, was taken into custody about 7:20 a.m. Friday on suspicion of animal cruelty after he punched a small, black dog several times, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez.

The dog, which suffered “superficial injuries,” was taken by animal control officials for treatment.

The graphic video shows a man yanking, pulling and swinging the dog up by its leash. Then, the man picks up the dog, which barked a few times, and holds it close to his chest before slamming it to the ground.

The man in the video yelled profanities at the person shooting the video, Lindsey Cooks.

Cooks can be heard on the video saying, “That’s cruelty to animals.”

He told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that he called sheriff’s officials to report the man’s actions.

“I’m a human being, you know?” he told the station. “I couldn’t see not even a human being being treated like that, especially a dog that can’t defend itself, a little dog, so I had to do something.”

Anyone with details about the incident is urged to call the sheriff’s station in Lancaster at (661) 940-3860. To remain anonymous, call (800) 222-8477.

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