On November 1 in Old North Sacramento, two innocent dogs were standing behind a fence when a person walked by, and, without provocation, appeared to spray a chemical directly into their faces. The disturbing moment was caught on surveillance video and shared publicly by Front Street Animal Shelter.

Officials believe the dogs were hit with pepper spray or a similar chemical irritant. Anyone who’s ever cared for an animal can imagine the fear, pain, and confusion these dogs must have felt. This wasn’t an accident. It was a deliberate act of cruelty.

Animal cruelty is not just a misdemeanor, it’s a serious crime. And in a community like ours, where pets are family, we cannot allow this kind of violence to go unanswered.

We are calling on Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, Sacramento Animal Control, and all relevant law enforcement agencies to:

• Prioritize the identification and arrest of the suspect in case A25-554251
• Pursue the maximum penalties under California law for any verified acts of animal cruelty
• Send a clear message that violence toward animals will not be tolerated in Sacramento

Too often, these cases slip through the cracks. But every act of cruelty, no matter how small it may seem to some, tears at the fabric of a compassionate community. If this person is not held fully accountable, what message does that send about how we value the lives and safety of animals?

Please sign and share this petition if you believe in standing up for the voiceless. These dogs can’t speak for themselves, but we can speak for them.

 
 photo: cbs