BOSTON —A woman is facing an animal cruelty charge after she was spotted beating her service dog Tuesday in downtown Boston, police said.
Officers were in the area of the Boston Common when they heard a dog crying, police said. A passerby told the officers that a woman was beating a dog in the area of 131 Tremont St.
Police said they saw the woman, later identified as Jasmine Velasquez, of Boston, kick the dog. Officers said they were able to quickly separate Velasquez from the dog.
"Very upsetting to see, obviously," Keith Brewer witnessed part of the attack, said. "Somebody's hurting an animal that can't defend itself.
Investigators say video surveillance shows the woman assaulting the animal with a glass bottle.
"Velasquez hit the dog with an open right hand one time, hit the dog with a glass bottle 11 times and kicked the dog three times," prosecutor Samuel Jones said at her arraignment on Wednesday.
According to the police report, the dog, which is described as an Australian cattle dog, was Velasquez's service dog and was wearing a vest.
Boston Animal Control took custody of the dog, who is named Rocky.
During the booking process, Velasquez allegedly spit on a police officer, according to the report.
Velasquez was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on one charge of animal cruelty and one charge of assault and battery on a police officer.
She pleaded with the judge so that she may see her four month old who's been in DCF custody.
Her bail was set at $1,500.
