Dog Abuse

This is a weird local story as reported in today's Daily Journal.  I normally wouldn't post it except for two things that make it even weirder

The Peninsula Humane Society is seeking the public’s help in bringing charges against a Burlingame dog sitter who was allegedly caught on camera abusing an animal.

A resident witnessed a neighbor, who runs a dog sitting and boarding business out of her home near Burlingame High School, jerk a cowering dog up by the neck, slam the small dog to the ground and then slap it multiple times while it was pinned to the ground, according to PHS spokesman Scott Delucchi.

The neighbor filmed the incident from a cellphone July 30 and turned it over to the PHS, which is now seeking help in locating the animal. This was not the first time the PHS has received complaints about the woman, but it is the first time the local nonprofit has obtained evidence it now believes will allow prosecutors to file charges, Delucchi said.

Because formal charges have not been filed, the PHS has not yet released the name of the alleged abuser or her business. However, the PHS is seeking the public’s help in both identifying the abused animal and finding other potential victims.

Aside from the really sad part about abusing multiple dogs, who knew you could run a dog boarding business with (it sounds like about 15 dogs at a time) in a single-family residential neighborhood behind BHS?  And how can they find other owners whose dogs may have been abused if they don't release the woman's name?  The description is pretty complete, but without the name, who really knows?

Comments

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Is this the women with the small Toyota Truck with a camper shell on the back?
I believe both are blue.
Is this the women that wears Extra Large Eyeglasses?
You would recognize her because the Eye glass frames and lenses are at least4-5 inches in diameter.
Abuse by Dog Sitters regarding their "charges" is more common than you would believe.
City of Burlingame Business License?
Credentials other than having an old pick up truck?
Pet first aid?
Insurance?
Ability to communicate with humans?
All I can say is "you get what you pay for."
This is Horrible everyway you look at it.

[Joe]

Here's the public notice of her identity:

A 65-year-old Burlingame dog sitter pleaded not guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge Thursday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

Peninsula Humane Society & Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigators went to Levac’s home on Aug. 5 and seized 10 dogs and also determined Levac was running an unlicensed dog boarding business, prosecutors said.

Frisco’s owner said she paid Levac to watch the dog for about a week when the alleged abuse occurred. PHS/SPCA staff examined Frisco Sunday and found it unhurt, according to prosecutors.

Levac did not appear in court Thursday and defense attorney Robert Courshon made the not guilty plea on her behalf, which is allowed in misdemeanor cases, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Staff with the District Attorney’s Office said they filed the case Wednesday and a $10,000 warrant for Levac’s arrest was issued. Levac surrendered to authorities and they released her on a $10,000 bond.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2015-08-28/woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-alleged-animal-cruelty/1776425149216.html

Yesterday's Daily Post piece adds a bit of detail in that the dog boarding business was unlicensed and PHS seized 11 dogs from the house on Aug 5. If the dog in the video had severe injuries this would have been a felony charge. As it is, the misdemeanor charge could lead to a year in county jail.

[Joe]

Sorry. I edited out the paragraph with her first name: Linda Levac, 65, of Burlingame.