Video: Man accused of beating dog in camera footage in North Carolina
Mar 19, 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Charlote-Mecklenburg Police Department's Animal Care and Control is investigating a case of animal cruelty that reportedly happened last week in Plaza Midwood.
The incident, which was recorded on cameras, led to the arrest of Connor Howard, 20, of Charlotte.
Credit: Mecklenburg County Jail
In the video, which was shared with Queen City News, a man is seen stopping his car and using a flip-flop to beat a dog that was in the back of the vehicle, forcefully and repeatedly, before the dog was pulled out of the car and kicked multiple times.
The incident, in addition to being caught on camera, was also in full view of those living nearby.
"We heard him yelling," said Erik Jenkins, referring to the suspect. "We looked down and that's when he started beating the dog. And I start yelling at him, and we just get into a verbal back and forth."
That "verbal back and forth" also involved a lot of cursing, which can be heard in the video.
"My blood was boiling because he didn't have any consideration for the dog at all," said Jenkins.
Howard was booked into the Mecklenburg County jail early Tuesday morning. Arrest records also indicate he is being charged with a probation violation. He also had two other arrests last year.
Court records indicate the previous arrests were for separate charges of assault on a female. Documents related to those cases said the victim in both cases appeared to be the mother of his child. One of the charges was voluntarily dismissed earlier this month, while another incident —reportedly involving a knife — is still pending.
Residents said they are surprised a case of alleged animal abuse would happen in this neighborhood, which has a nearby dog park and is known as a safe place to walk pets.
There is no specific word from authorities on the status or custody of the dog that was the subject of this alleged attack.
Authorities have not confirmed the condition or status of the dog but did say the dog is at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control shelter. ...read more read less
