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ANIMAL WATCH - A 58-year-old man is facing animal cruelty charges after he was shown on a very disturbing film driving his Jeep Cherokee with a Doberman Pinscher tied to the back bumper and being dragged over the asphalt behind the vehicle on July 2.
The disturbing event was captured on film and can be seen as the vehicle traveled at an average speed of 30-mph in the Spring Valley/La Mesa area of San Diego, CA.
CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED
San Diego Animal Services announced on July 5, 2025, that “Criminal charges have been filed in California against the driver who was seen dragging his dog by its leash behind a vehicle, Gray News reported.
San Diego County Animal Services said the man -- who was not yet publicly identified--admitted to officials that he is the driver in the video.
Graphic Content Warning: This video contains graphic footage of a dog being dragged behind a vehicle. Viewer discretion is advised. Click here to watch the video.
WITNESS ACCOUNT OF TRAGIC INCIDENT
Witnesses told investigators that “the dog was flipping over while being dragged and the suspect appeared to be laughing as he continued driving for several minutes,” according to the County News Center report.
Vaughn Maurice, San Diego County Animal Services’ Director, commented, “While we are grateful to have identified the person responsible, our hearts break for this dog and what it endured.”
Several witnesses tried to stop the Jeep, but the driver ignored them, according to San Diego County Animal Services officials,” the report states.
“It was necessary to euthanize the dog due to the severity of the injuries,” according to County veterinarians, but they assured sufficient evidence was preserved for the investigation to be conducted, and a thorough investigation was performed before the animal was cremated.
Charges are being filed against the animal abuse suspect with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the updated report, multiple witnesses called in reports of the incident and told Animal Control officers that the owner had told them, “…he forgot he had tied the dog to the vehicle after making a brief stop to use the restroom” and he was “visibly heartbroken over the incident."
San Diego County Animal Services reported that, at around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, witnesses reported “a red-and-brown Doberman being dragged by an older model black Jeep Cherokee that was going about 30 mph, continued for several minutes along Bancroft Drive, near the 9100 block of Edgewood Drive.”
DOG OWNER “EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS”
San Diego County Animal Services reported that they had identified the owner of the Doberman Pinscher as 58-year-old Joseph Holland. "a person who is experiencing homelessness,'' according to City News Service, and that he “was expected to face a criminal charge of cruelty to animals.”
Holland reportedly told officers that “he was running Ralph, his red/brown Doberman, at a local park," and "when he returned to his truck, he tied the dog to the vehicle and went to use the restroom." He added that Holland "told officers he forgot the dog was
still tied up and drove off, unintentionally dragging the animal."
"Mr. Holland was extremely remorseful and visibly heartbroken over the incident," the spokesman added.
The suspect was identified Friday by Animal Services, who called it "a horrific act of animal cruelty."
"After seeing video coverage of the incident on television, the dog's owner contacted county Animal Services and admitted that it was his truck and his dog involved," county officials said Saturday.
Animal Control officers responded to a residence where Holland was staying and confirmed that he was indeed the individual seen driving the truck in the video, according to reports.
Westerheide said the officers "did not arrest Mr. Holland on scene, as it is not our standard procedure to make arrests in these situations. Instead, we submit for charges, and the suspect is then summoned to court."
CASE DESCRIBED AS “INCREDIBLY SAD AND DISTURBING”
Vaughn Maurice, county Animal Services director, described the case as "incredibly sad and disturbing."
"While we are grateful to have identified the person responsible, hearts break for this dog and what it endured," Maurice added.
DOBERMAN WAS TOO INJURED TO SAVE
Due to the extent of the dragged dog's injuries, he was euthanized at County Animal Services veterinary clinic, Live5News reported, and “Officers have since taken possession of the dog's remains, which will be used at trial as evidence in support of the charges.”
Because the investigation is not completed, officials are asking anyone with more information about the crime, the suspect or the whereabouts of the dog to contact them. Anyone with information about this crime, the suspect, or the dog involved is urged to call San Diego County Animal Services at (619) 541-1155.
(Callers can remain anonymous, and, because both the dog and the person currently claiming ownership were described as “in a homeless situation,” there may be more information from the public that could be important to this very tragic case.)
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation.)
