A Cobb County man is accused of throwing his girlfriend’s small dog against the ceiling in the hallway of an apartment complex, according to investigators.
But a doorbell camera captured the alleged violence against the animal, and that video was shared with investigators from Cobb County Animal Services. The man believed responsible, James Moses, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and surrendered Tuesday, jail records show.
Stephen Hammond, director of animal services, said video of the abuse was shared on social media and a concerned citizen alerted him Friday. An investigator worked through the weekend to identify the suspect.
“There is evil in the world, and this proves it,” Hammond told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “There’s no excuse for it. The dog wasn’t trying to bite him. The dog didn’t do anything wrong.”
The AJC is not posting the video due to its graphic nature.
Hammond said it appeared Moses took his anger out on the small dog, a 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Smokey. Animal services executed search warrants at the Smyrna complex on Pine Street where the alleged abuse took place and seized the dog, who was examined by a veterinarian.
Fortunately, the terrier has no permanent damage, Hammond said. His owner found out about the abuse from investigators and the two have been reunited, he said.
An arrest warrant was secured for Moses on Monday.
“Said accused did throw the dog into the wall at a high rate of speed,” the warrant states. “The dog made a loud thud when it struck the ground.”
Moses surrendered Tuesday afternoon and was booked into the Cobb jail. He was released hours later on $7,500 bond, jail records show.
Hammond said he is grateful that his office was alerted to the video and urged others to speak up if they witness similar crimes.
“By raising that awareness, people realize that it is a crime and it’s something we will do something about,” Hammond said.
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