TSTC student charged with animal cruelty after witness videos, police say
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A Texas State Technical College student faces animal cruelty charges after a witness recorded multiple incidents of alleged abuse involving a small dog, according to a police report.
Christian Hargrave, 31, was arrested following a police investigation that began with witness reports in late September.
A witness first noticed something wrong when she heard a dog crying in distress, police said. She watched as a man pulled and carried the animal by its collar only, prompting her to start recording.
The witness captured a second incident on October 11 around 5:45 p.m., again showing the same man and dog with the animal crying out. She reported a third incident on October 13 but was unable to record it.
The witness provided police with time-stamped photos and videos from September 24 and October 11. Police confirmed the person in the recordings matched Hargrave’s student profile and arrest photo.
In an earlier incident, police reported they had responded to an animal cruelty report near Mather Street on September 25 around 5:40 a.m. A witness reported hearing a dog yelp and saw a man with a small dog on a retractable leash.
The witness said she watched the man yell at and slap the dog on the head when the animal approached him while he sat on steps. She provided police with a time-stamped photo from that morning.
Police records show Hargrave was living near Mather Street through student housing at the time.
Police reviewed the video evidence and determined it showed cruel treatment of the animal as described by witnesses.
Hargrave’s bond was set at $5,000.
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