Concerned over the ill-treatment of a dog, neighbors in a Springfield, Missouri apartment complex captured video of a man beating his __dog with a chain. When confronted, the dog’s owner says it’s all part of his training.
Neighbors on the top floor of the Cherry Street Apartments say they’ve witnessed John King brutally beating his __dog on several occasions. During a recent episode, Tina Federico used her cellphone to record video and posted it online where it quickly went viral.
In the video, King is seen yanking the dog, Craydo, by a chain around his neck before swinging the chain and hitting the dog in the face with it.
“He takes the chain, yanks it and it busts the dog in the face,” Federico told KDVR. “If you’re abusing a child or a dog I have a problem, it becomes my business, that dog gets hit and beat everyday” she added.
And, Federico isn’t the only neighbor to witness ill-treatment toward the dog.
“Three mornings ago, when we came out, the dog was tugging on him hard, and as soon as he got up the steps, he picked the dog up with the chain and slammed him into his apartment door by his head. I’m terrified for the dog,” said another neighbor, Angel Simmons.
Animal control officials have been to the apartment complex multiple times following-up on reports of abuse, but no charges have ever come about.
When confronted with the video footage, King confirmed that was indeed him and his pit bull, Craydo. But, he says he’s not abusing the dog that he calls “my baby,” but, rather, it’s all a form of discipline in an effort to train him.
“I’m tryin to train the dog and get him where he comes to me and stuff, but when he does not listen, I do pop him on his (obscenity).”
Regarding allegations of beating his dog’s face with the chain, King shrugged, “I just tapped him with it yesterday.”
While many view the footage as clear-cut animal abuse, King’s own neighbors are divided, with some agreeing that hitting the dog with a chain is an acceptable form of discipline. “More than anything, it gets the dog’s attention. I don’t see any harm in that,” said neighbor Michael Wheelock.
Animal Control will not comment on the video, but have confirmed they are investigating abuse allegations against King.
