Police are providing new details about the animal abuse investigation in Johnstown after a video of the incident was posted on social media over the weekend.
Police say Saturday, March 12, the department received an animal cruelty complaint after a resident captured video of a man punching and abusing a dog along Good Street.
Police say the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Tramale Lockett, can be seen on the doorbell video punching his dog in the face, several times, and then dragging it down the street.
According to the arrest affidavit, police located Lockett after following up on several tips from concerned citizens.
Police say officers asked Lockett how many dogs he owned, to which he replied that he only owned the one, a gray Pitbull puppy, which matched the animal in the video.
Officers say Lockett admitted that his dog had run away a few days prior, and claimed that the video showed him disciplining it.
Police say Lockett told officers that he never abused the animal, while also stating that the dog had been locked in his basement since the incident.
Police say when officers attempted to retrieve the dog, Lockett "became irate and started screaming about police officers killing black men."
Authorities say the dog has since been transported to the Cambria County Humane Society for treatment of its injuries.
Police noted that as they were placing Lockett into custody, several neighbors approached the officers and told them that they had witnessed Lockett abusing the dog on multiple occasions.
Lockett is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, animal neglect and disorderly conduct, according to online court documents.
He has a $1,500 bail.
wjactv.com
