LOMPOC, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action announced it is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the individual responsible for a disturbing act of animal cruelty currently under investigation in Lompoc.
According to Santa Barbara County Animal Services, authorities are seeking the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in connection with the incident. The individual is described as a Black male, approximately 20–50 years old, wearing a red beanie, blue T-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers.
Residents in the neighborhood where the incident occurred reported that home security footage shows a man picking up a dog and violently swinging the animal against a truck and a fence. The video was shared on neighborhood watch platforms and subsequently provided to Animal Services. Authorities have described the incident as an intentional act of cruelty.
“This is a deeply troubling case and a stark reminder that cruelty toward animals must be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “We urge anyone with information about who is responsible to come forward. Acts of violence against animals are often precursors to violence against people.”
Animal Wellness Action is encouraging community members to report tips directly to Santa Barbara County Animal Services or local law enforcement. Individuals may also submit tips to tips@animalwellnessaction.org.
Animal Wellness Action stands ready to work with law enforcement, prosecutors and community partners to ensure accountability in this case and to help secure justice.
Animal Wellness Action also renewed its call for stronger federal enforcement capacity to combat animal cruelty, citing the close link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. The Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, H.R. 1477, would create a team of dedicated prosecutors to work with local and federal authorities to enforce anti-cruelty laws, and the FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act, H.R. 3683, would establish a specialized policing unit within the FBI to focus on animal cruelty crimes.