Problem Solvers: La Pine-area man arrested on animal abuse charges, 3 dogs seized after viral video sparks outrage

Deschutes County man accused of beating puppy with shovel

A witness reported seeing John Coe Richardson of La Pine beating a 5-month-old dachshund with a shovel on April 26, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said.

Problem Solvers: La Pine-area man arrested on animal abuse charges, 3 dogs seized after viral video sparks outrage

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the Problem Solvers Wednesday that a La Pine-area man caught on camera apparently abusing his dog with a shovel has been arrested and charged with aggravated animal abuse, and his three dogs were taken to an area shelter for evaluation.

Suspect in viral La Pine dog abuse video speaks to Central Oregon Daily 45 minutes before arrest

The video, posted across multiple Facebook pages, showed the man picking up the dog and taking a couple of swings with the shovel. The dog falls to the ground and the man takes another swing with the shovel.