Dog Fight In Santa Cruz Leads To Hate Crime Assault Arrest: Police

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A couple was arrested in Santa Cruz on suspected charges of a hate crime, assault and conspiracy after a dog fight on April 23 on Blackburn Street, police said.

One person had minor injuries from the assault. Their condition is unknown.

Richard Wood, a 28-year-old Santa Cruz resident and Victoria Van Sandt were arrested and booked into the county jail on suspected charges of assault, conspiracy, and violation of one’s civil rights (hate crime.)

The two passed another couple when they were walking their dog around 11:30 a.m. The dogs got into a fight which caused Wood to call the couple homophobic slurs and assault one of the males, police said. Van Sandt helped Wood in the assault before they both ran into a nearby apartment, the department said in a news release.

Surveillance video nearby showed the two running to the apartment complex and police were able to find both of them and take them into custody. Police did not share the possible penalties for the charges.

“The Santa Cruz Police Department strongly denounces hate crimes of all kinds,” the department said in a news release. “We encourage members of our community to promptly report these incidents by calling our 24-hour dispatch center at (831) 471-1131 or 911.”