$1,000 reward offered for capture and conviction of alleged New Bedford animal abuser.
NEW BEDFORD - Miguel A. Martinez still has an active warrant on him for animal cruelty after a video appearing to show him hitting a dog went viral in October. He has not been apprehended and remains at-large, according to New Bedford Police.
Now the Coalition for Animals of Greater New Bedford is stepping up and offering a $1,000 reward for the apprehension and conviction of Martinez.
“This kind of treatment of an innocent animal is reprehensible,″ said Coalition President Lauren Stamatis. “Our Coalition works to protect the animals in our community and we are horrified by this blatant act of violence and abuse.”
Miguel A. Martinez, 42, of 472 Cottage St., New Bedford, is wanted on animal cruelty charges after an online video showed him striking a dog at his Cottage Street residence Oct. 9.
The dog and her puppies were taken from the home by New Bedford Police and transported to Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties, where tests indicated they were not injured in the attack.
"We are offering this reward from our established Animal Abuse Reward Fund to encourage the public to keep their eyes out for this individual, who needs to be brought to justice in the criminal court system,” Stamatis said.
In the video seemingly showing the dog being hit, a man in a grey jump suit, later identified as Martinez, appeared to be “torturing a small multi-colored dog throughout the video,” court records said. Martinez appeared to be holding “a long black object” and was swinging it at the dog. “The dog was then heard yelping loudly multiple times while attempting to get away from Mr. Martinez,” according to police. The dog ran on to a small deck with Martinez following and swinging the object at the dog.
Police met Martinez, who was wearing a grey sweatsuit, at his residence and the adult dog was inside his car, court records say. A woman, identified as Pilar Aguiar, 47, was present and said she blocked Martinez’s driveway, after seeing videos on Facebook of the suspected abuse.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Martinez is asked to call New Bedford Police Department tip line at 508-961-4584.
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