Man Who Dragged Dog To Death Says He Forgot Animal Was Tied To Truck

SPRING VALLEY, CA — The man who admitted to dragging his dog behind a truck in the Spring Valley/La Mesa area, causing fatal injuries to the animal, told Animal Control officers that he forgot he had tied the dog to the vehicle after making a brief stop, and "was visibly heartbroken over the incident," authorities said Saturday.

San Diego County Animal Services identified the man as 58-year-old Joseph Holland, "a person who is experiencing homelessness," spokesman Chuck Westerheide told City New Service via email Saturday.

Holland was expected to face a criminal charge of cruelty to animals, Westerheide said.

According to San Diego County Animal Services, 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, which continued for several minutes along Bancroft Drive, near the 9100 block of Edgewood Drive.

Witnesses said the dog was flipping over while being dragged, and that the driver appeared to laugh and ignore bystanders as they attempted to rescue the animal.

Holland "told officers he was running Ralph, his red/brown Doberman, at a local park," Westerheide said. The suspect said that "when he returned to his truck, he tied the dog to the vehicle and went to use the restroom," Westerheide said, adding 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, they said.

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."

Vaughn Maurice, county Animal Services director, said the case was "incredibly sad and disturbing."

"While we are grateful to have identified the person responsible, our hearts break for this dog and what it endured," Maurice added.

The department released a link to a highly graphic and disturbing video that appeared to show the crime. It can be found at youtube.com/shorts/37FzkK5_H8I.

According to ABC10, the dog was euthanized at a veterinary clinic due to the extent of the injuries, and the animal's remains would be used as evidence for the investigation.

Authorities urged anyone with information about the case to call Animal Services at 619-236-2341.

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