Two employees from a dog training facility in Las Vegas have been arrested and now face felony charges following an investigation sparked by disturbing videos revealing alleged abusive training practices. The videos triggered concerns about animal welfare and prompted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to act, leading to a raid on the premises of Working Dogs of Nevada.
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The arrested individuals have been identified as John Johnstone, aged 38, who has been charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty, and his colleague, 32-year-old Tabitha Berube, who faces one count for witnessing abusive training without intervening. Both employees were taken into custody and are currently being held at the Clark County Detention Centre.
The investigation commenced in early March after a whistleblower, an employee at the facility named Kerrigan Toms, alerted the authorities to the alleged mistreatment of the animals. Toms reported capturing videos of the training methods used, which included harsh leash handling and the application of electric shock collars. In her statement, she described the internal conflict she felt, knowing that speaking out against the practices could put her job at risk, yet feeling compelled to document the evidence for the sake of the dogs’ welfare.
On Wednesday, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Working Dogs of Nevada facility, leading to the seizure of 35 dogs. The dogs have since been transported to The Animal Foundation for safe-keeping and are undergoing examinations to assess their condition. Witnesses near the facility reported seeing a heavy police presence, mistaking it initially for a “grand opening” of the business.
The facility has had its operations suspended following the investigation. Surveillance footage reportedly captured several alarming instances of animal mistreatment. In one documented case, a dog was allegedly hoisted off the ground by its leash and swung around during training sessions. Another case involved a dog subjected to repeated shocks from an electric collar, according to arrest reports.
Sgt. William Gethefer, commenting on the investigation, stated, “To us, it was outside of training practices. It was straight-up cruelty.” This sentiment echoes the public’s outrage as the details of the case came to light. Animal welfare groups and concerned citizens have expressed their horror and dismay at the reported training methods employed at the facility.
Scheduled court appearances for Johnstone and Berube are set for April 29, where they will face the charges against them. The case has sparked wider discussions about the ethics of dog training practices and the responsibility of facilities to ensure the welfare of the animals they care for.
As the investigation continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting animal rights and the need for accountability among those who work with vulnerable creatures. The community is left to grapple with the implications of this case and to continue advocating for humane treatment in all animal handling practices.