Video Shows Animal Shelter Employee Dragging Dog On Leash In Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA, CA — Authorities Friday were investigating a video that has gone viral showing a dog walker dragging a canine in front of an animal rescue center.

The video shows an apparent dog walker who is seen dragging a limp dog with a leash in front of the Priceless Pets no-kill pet rescue in Costa Mesa.

The incident was reported to the Costa Mesa Police Department on Thursday, according to Spokesperson Roxi Fyad.

Priceless Pets posted a statement on social media calling it a "deeply troubling incident." The shelter asked whomever took the video in front of the Costa Mesa adoption center to provide the full video.
"Having the complete context is critical to ensure a thorough and just response for all parties involved, most importantly for the animals in our care," the center said in the post.

Priceless Pets was "conducting a full internal investigation and are taking immediate action to address this matter."

The agency will reinforce "our protocols and retraining efforts across all adoption centers to ensure our expectations are clearly understood and upheld at every level," officials said.

The dog walker's "behavior is absolutely unacceptable and stands in direct opposition to everything our organization represents," the center said in the post.

The center added, "We are heartbroken by what has occurred and want to emphasize that this does not reflect our values or the level of care we demand from our team and volunteers."