A man arrested last week on suspicion of severely beating a puppy in Antioch has been charged with animal cruelty, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.
William Landers, 23, faces the felony charge after a witness reported seeing him beating a puppy repeatedly at 8:18 a.m. Wednesday on West Eighth Street and G Street, according to Antioch police.
Officers responded to investigate the report and located Landers and the puppy. The dog appeared lifeless, unable to move, according to police.
Landers apparently told police that the puppy fell out of the Target shopping cart the dog was in, and that Landers was trying to administer CPR.
Antioch Animal Services took the dog to a veterinarian. That veterinarian confirmed that the dog had injuries consistent with being beaten, such as body contusions, according to police.
“Seeing a puppy like that is always heartbreaking,” vet Danny Brown said.
The dog's body temperature had dropped below being measurable.
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Frankie Tagle is fostering the pup and may keep her forever.
“Just your first reaction is to provide and give them something that they haven’t had which is love and affection and what they deserve,” he said.
