Snapchat video of woman boxing her dog sparks animal cruelty investigation

A video of an Idaho woman boxing her dog sparked outrage on social media — and she could now face animal cruelty charges. 

“We’re boxing animals. Where’s Sarah McLachlan?,” someone in the background says, referring to the singer and well-known animal-rights activist, whose songs have been featured in ads for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The dog yelps as the woman lands a hard punch and says: “I hit him so hard I felt that through…,” before the 13-second clip ends abruptly.

The footage was shared widely on other social media platforms, with many viewers decrying it as animal abuse. 
 

Boise, Idaho...

I want to know this girls name. Who the fuck punches a dog in the face like that? Retweet this until we find out who she is. I ain’t gonna let this shit go unnoticed pic.twitter.com/xmTZWO2T1l

— Brown Shuga (@brownnshugaaa) May 4, 2020

The Idaho Humane Society said Monday that it had received an “overwhelming” number of calls and emails about the clip and was launching a probe.

“The investigation is currently pending review at the local prosecutor’s office for a charging decision,” Idaho Humane Society spokeswoman Kristine Schellhaas said.

The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office could charge the woman under a local law that addresses “beating and harassing animals”.

The misdemeanour charge carries a maximum sentence of up to six months in prison and up to $5000 in fines.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission