BOSTON (WHDH) - A 26-year-old woman from Boston is facing an animal cruelty charge after police say they witnessed her kick a dog while they responded to a report of animal abuse.
The Boston Police Department said the arrest came after officers heard the sound of a dog crying while walking in the area of Boston Common on Tuesday around 8:40 p.m.
According to the department, a passerby told police that a woman was beating a dog near 131 Tremont St., leading to officers responding to the area and coming across the suspect, who they reportedly observed kicking the animal.
“Officers were able to quickly separate the suspect from the dog, and moved the dog to a safe location as there was broken glass and unknown liquid on the ground,” Boston PD stated in a news release.
Police went on to investigate the incident further and spoke with witnesses who claimed to have seen the woman strike the dog “multiple times,” with officers learning she allegedly struck the dog with a glass bottle at one point, in addition to kicking and punching it.
A student who saw the alleged beating said the scene broke his heart.
“She was screaming at the dog, saying ‘Shut up, shut up, shut up,'” said Felipe Giesteira. “…Seeing a person actually do such a thing with an animal, especially a service dog, which is there to help her, [I’m] just heartbroken.”
Keith Brewer also witnessed the incident and said he could not believe what he saw.
“Just terrible to witness and to hear the dog howling in pain every time that she hit him,” Brewer said.
Brewer continued, saying he comforted the dog after police arrived.
“The dog came to me and kind of backed into me as I crouched down and was very calm considering what happened,” he said.
The individual, Jasmine Velasquez, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty as well as assault and battery on a police officer. Officials later said the assault charge came about after the suspect allegedly spat at an officer while being booked.
Velasquez appeared in court Wednesday morning, where the prosecution said the animal kicked was her service dog.
“Ms. Velasquez hit the dog with an open right hand one time, hit the dog with a glass bottle eleven times, and kicked the dog three times,” said prosecutor Samuel Jones.
During the arraignment, officials also detailed how the 26-year-old told police she had been bitten by the dog before admitting to officers that she had kicked it.
An attorney for Velasquez said the defendant lives at the Pine Street Inn and has a four-month-old child who is in state custody. The attorney said Velasquez fractured a bone in her leg last year and needs a service dog to help her walk.
“She’s still recovering and she still has balance and ambulation issues with respect there, too, so that’s why she has the service dog,” said defense attorney Denise Moore. “She has some psychological issues, but she’s dealing with them and she’s compliant with her medication regime.”
Velasquez was ordered held on $1,500 bail.
The police department said the dog, described as a male Australian Cattle Dog named “Rocky,” was later taken in by Animal Control services. Details on the dog’s condition were not released.
Witnesses, in the meantime, said they just want what is best for the dog.
“I just hope that the dog can find a family that loves him,” Giesteira said.
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