NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A New Bedford man is facing criminal charges for allegedly beating a dog with a metal pipe in an attack that was filmed and shared on social media.
In that video, the dog can be heard whimpering and yelping as a man hits her.
An outraged neighbor took the cell phone video and sent it to police—but some residents say police waited hours to respond, and only responded when a concerned citizen took matters into her own hands.
Pilar Aguiar drove to the man's house in the city's West End and blocked his driveway with her car, going on Facebook Live during the incident.
She told WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe that, during the confrontation with the owner, she was only thinking of one thing.
"All about the dog," she said. "I just wanted to get that baby out of there."
The dog owner eventually called police to get Aguiar to move her car, and that's when they seized the mother dog and her three puppies.
They were taken to Tufts Walpole for examination, and are now under the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Thursday afternoon, New Bedford Police confirmed to WBZ NewsRadio that the man in the video has been criminally charged with animal abuse.
That man, 41-year-old Miguel Martinez, was arrested back in April on drug trafficking charges, South Coast Today reports. Police allege he ran a cocaine delivery service out of his home.
Aguiar said she was pleased at the news, and that the dog deserves justice.
New Bedford police also said they're looking into the allegations they didn't respond in a timely manner.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App