CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A video on social media has people outraged after they see a dog getting hit with a belt over and over.
The video was posted by woman and sent to the Facebook group "Rescue United 361 Network" -- a group for local rescuers.
There, the woman asked for help on what to do.
We must warn you what you are about to see is hard to watch.
The video shows a man repeatedly hitting the dog with what looks like a belt. The dog doesn't fight back, but instead tries to escape the punishment.
The post is now making it's rounds on social media and it has stirred up a lot of anger.
"Rightfully they have every reason to be upset," Corpus Christi Police Department Lt. Michael Pena said.
Pena said that Corpus Christi Animal Care Services was notified about the video on Monday.
Pena said they interviewed the person who took the video.
"Animal Care Services went out and secured a seizure warrant and they were able to serve that to the residents on the 3200 block of Casa Bonita," Pena said.
Pena said they have generated a report for animal cruelty.
He said typically after there is a report of animal cruelty and there is a suspect -- that person will be charged.
"In this case they do have an animal cruelty suspect identified," Pena said. "And it's just like any other case -- like if it was aggravated assault on a human or theft -- it has to go through the court system."
He said animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor that has a fine of up to $4,000 and jail time not to exceed one year. Pena said depending on the severity of the case it can be bumped up to a felony.
"In this case it would be a Class A misdemeanor," Pena said.
Pena said sharing animal abuse posts on social media is not enough, he encourages people to contact police or animal care services.
"What I would recommend to everybody is let the system do it's job -- the criminal justice system," he said. "Don't take matters into your own hands."
Action 10 News reached out to the dog owner on Facebook, we have yet to hear back.
If you need to report animal cruelty contact Animal Care Services at (361) 826-4630 or on Facebook.
