The Antelope Valley Times

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Caught on video: Man abuses dog in Lancaster, arrest made

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The man in these images (alleged as 53-year-old Robert Martin of Lancaster) was arrested around 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail. (View raw video of the incident below courtesy of Lindsey Cooks)
The man in these images (alleged as 53-year-old Robert Martin of Lancaster) was arrested around 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, on suspicion of felony animal cruelty and jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail. (View raw video of the incident below courtesy of Lindsey Cooks)

LANCASTER – A 53-year-old Lancaster man is in jail after cell phone video showing a dog being abused and slammed to the ground was brought to the attention of local law enforcement. (View the graphic video below. Warning: It contains offensive language.)

The alleged animal abuse occurred around 7:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8 near a bus stop on Lancaster Boulevard and 5th Street East, according to Lindsey Cooks, the man who recorded the incident on his cell phone.

Cooks, 46, said he was waiting at the bus stop when he noticed a shirtless man swinging a yelping dog in the air by its leash. Cooks said he tried to warn the man, and the man began hurling racial slurs.

46-year-old Lindsey Cooks recorded the video that got Martin arrested for animal cruelty. Cooks said Martin called him a "n*gger" when he tried to stop Martin from abusing the dog.
46-year-old Lindsey Cooks recorded the video that got Martin arrested for animal cruelty. Cooks said Martin called him a “n*gger” when he tried to stop Martin from abusing the dog.

“I told him, ‘that’s cruelty to animals,’ and then he said ‘shut up!’ and the n-word…” Cooks told The AV Times. “He took the dog up and swung the dog on his head… so I called the police.”

Cooks said he called 9-1-1 and Lancaster deputies responded a short time late.

“We responded to a call about cruelty to animals, and we were shown the tape, which obviously substantiated that charge,” said Lt. Martinez of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

Robert Martin, 53, of Lancaster, was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty, Lt. Martinez said.

“I have a dog too, you know? You don’t treat a dog like that!” Cooks said, adding that he also spoke to the man’s neighbors.

“Apparently, that’s not the first time he did it,” Cooks said, “and nobody said anything? I couldn’t do that… I had to let somebody know.”

The dog was picked up by local animal control officers Friday morning and is now at the Lancaster Animal Shelter, Cooks said.

“I called the Lancaster shelter and they said the dog was doing okay,” Cooks said. “I just can’t understand how people could be so cruel like that, it just really hurt me.”

Martin remains jailed in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to LASD inmate records.

UPDATED 8/11/14: The animal is doing well and headed to foster care. Read our update at Abused dog headed to foster care.

**Warning: Video contains graphic images and offensive language**

Post by Lindsey Cooks.

67 comments for "Caught on video: Man abuses dog in Lancaster, arrest made"

  2. I am an animal lover and it broke my heart to see that man abuse that poor dog. I am glad that someone caught him on video and called the police. with that being said, I find it ironic that people are outraged when this kind of abuse occurs to an animal, but feel it is none of their business when a man hits a woman. Let’s be just a proactive when we see domestic abuse.

  3. I hope that man gets serious time. His children need counseling. He is just raising children with improper values who will grow up dependent on our system and tax dollars. He should be banned from owning pets. Throw the book at him but I’m afraid it wont happen. Our system is broken.

  4. Is anyone going to the court tomorrow? It starts at 8:30am. I’m planning on going, if it will help in any way….

  5. I want to know why there is a kid laughing at this horrific behavior. ….. What happened before the camera started…… Just saying…..

    • I agree with you, that’s guys kid was laughing and also saying stuff, they don’t the right to Bully
      The guy either! There more to the story then what’s being showed.

      • That guy shouldn’t be bullied?! Did you watch the same video as us? This disguesting excuse of a human being tortured a dog. I have two dogs who love me deeper then I can even fathum so the thought of someone treating such a loving dog like that makes my blood boil! I’m not saying bulling is right, but by no means what so ever does that excuse this mans actions.

  6. Thank God for people like Mr. Cooks who had the nerve to call the police. You should be so proud of yourself. And I too hope that they do not let that so called human being out of jail. And sorry Mr. Cooks for his language toward you.

    • Thank you, Mr. Cooks for stepping up and speaking out. You may have very well saved that poor dog’s life.

      I also am sorry you were subjected to abusive language from that piece of crap. He needs to be locked up and kept away from society. forever.

  7. Well done sir! PRAYING that the pup will be OK… and PRAYING that more people like you step up on this Earth to identify cruelty to animals.. This SOB has a world of hurt coming, and the law will do its job, and when the law is done with him, my people will step in to finish the job.

    • That [removed] was lucky it was not me who had taken the video, because after a second seeing that coward abusing GOD’S innocent animal I would have beaten him so bad, that he would be in intensive care for months. He is so lucky he doesn’t live in Chicago, because I would have paid him a visit and give him a nice surprise.

  8. Mr Cooks,

    Bless you for stepping up and taking action on behalf of this little defenseless dog. You are an angel and a good man.

  9. Lindsey Cooks,

    You are a hero in my book; thank you for turning that scumbag in and taping the evidence. People like that should be locked up forever. Please have a talk with the child that thought what was happening with the dog was funny.

  10. Thank you Mr. Cook. You’re a hero. More people need to step up & help like you did. God bless you!

  11. Mr. Cooks, thank you so very much for what you did for Daisy! You got involved, saved an innocent furbaby’s life and set a beautiful example of kindness, compassion, and love! If only more people were like you , the world would be a much better and more gentle place. You and your loved ones, whoever they may be, will be kept in my prayers. I thank you again for your goodness!

  12. Please do not let this man out with just a slap on the hand! We need to start having animals abusers pay for their crime!

  13. Many years ago, a redneck, a belt buckle, and a bloodied little dog. Later a funeral. And the dog lived. No witnesses, and this man who beat Daisy would have gone down the same road.

  15. Just wondering who the little punks are laughing at such a horrible crime!?
    These children need to know what this WT man did was against the law and punishable!

    • It’s Antelope Valley, filled with Meth Heads, welfare cases, section 8, convicts, thieves, inbred hicks, sex offenders, child molestors and more lowlifes than you could imagine. The laughing kids are products of scum and just biding time till they become part of the system. Wish someone would post a face pic and description of this lowlife. I ride through this cesspool on occasion and would love to stomp on this lowlife pile of s***. A Bully Beatdown is definitely in order. By his appearance, I’m calling it Meth, Welfare, Section 8. Has anyone looked up his arrest record? Glad the dog is doing well.

  16. Thank You Mr. Cooks. The abuser should get what he did to that poor dog, plus
    spend a long time in jail, then the rest of his life in a mental hospital.
    He does not belong in society. What a whacko.

    • Forget the politically correct psycho babble… this guy is no better than a Michael Vick.. the term is sociopath, felon and human debris . Mr Cook is a hero and we will watch to see if this garbage is convicted and given a maximum sentence. His name should be posted on social media as a warning and notice as to when his court dates are. Anyone who would hurt a dog will hurt children, family members and others. This is how Jeffrey Dalmer got his start.. Thanks again Mr. Cooks… we salute you !

  18. I feel so sorry for the dog . I wish it ran away from him and never came back . That lowlife scum took all his anger out on him . The boy who was lauging is a piece of sh*t too

  19. Good thing the cops didn’t get there first. They would’ve just shot the dog first asked questions later…

  20. Thanks to Mr. Cook for filming this. It’s so nice that we have easy access to film idiots like this. Thank God Mr. Cook has the sense to call 911. I don’t understand how people can witness this stuff and not do something about it. Now that dog doesn’t have to be abused anymore. Mr. Cook saved it’s life. I’m sure that monster would have eventually killed that dog. They need to put that man away forever. He doesn’t belong in society. He will do it again. I don’t believe people like that change. It’s just horrifying that we have people like that in our society walking around. Wonder how many other animals he has hurt, or children. Put him away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. How do we rehome this dog? Does anyone have any information on how I can arrange a rescue?

  24. Way to go Lindsey! I don’t know you but you standing up for that animal may have saved his life. Effort like yours gives me hope for humanity as opposed to the discouraging actions of this EffFace. (Pardon my French) I hope others who see such actions moving forward will think twice about turning the other cheek and actually say something. Violence like this should never be tolerated. We need to speak up for animals (and children) of the Antelope Valley and all communities.

  28. Abusing people and animals seems to be a way of life here in the AV, Even Nazis treated dogs and chickens and horses better than AV folk. Big up Cooks.

  30. Mr. Cooks……Thank you so much for having the foresight to catch this disgusting display of animal cruelty on video and contacting the sheriff so the jerk could be put in jail. I hope he stays there for a long, LONG time. I feel so bad for that poor dog. Who knows what horrors have been done to that sweetheart in the past. I hope he/she finds a good home and is given the love he/she deserves.

  31. Just knowing what that video shows is enough to turn my stomach, I cannot even bring myself to watch it. It is one thing for just one sick individual to do something so despicable but for neighbors and others to witness and do nothing.. Well that makes them just as guilty in my opinion. By neglecting to act, they in fact condoned his actions. Even if you aren’t an animal lover any one who witnessed such violence would know that man is a ticking timebomb and there’s no telling who might have found themselves on the receiving end of his fury. I commend Mr. Cooks for not being afraid to do the right thing, for trying to protect a defenseless living thing and most of all for keeping a level head through the whole ordeal so that he himself didn’t end up sitting in a cell. God knows if it had been me that wandered onto that scene I would have given that piece of garbage some of his own medicine. I sincerely hope some kind soul adopts that poor pup so he might know something besides fear and abuse. God bless you Mr. Cook, you and those like you.

  32. The dog is the only one that needs to be worried about he was the helpless one in all this. He in no way was able to protect him self. That man took his anger out on the poor dog and I dont think the dog did anything to cause that situation. No matter what was said between the men or child the dog was abused and out of angery. I can only imagine what else may have happen to the dog when that mam gets angry.

  33. I sure hope the other prisoners in County jail see this. They’ll beat his ass in the same way

  34. Wow, I wish I could un-see that awful disturbing video. Glad that someone had the sense to not only film him. but report him too! This is not “alleged” it is proof! Hope this sick person and whoever was laughing get what they deserve…What comes around , goes around…

  35. Thank God you where there and called on that drunken slob, I’m happy to hear that the dog is doing good

  37. Good God that is so disgusting and disturbing, I wish I could take back seeing that video! I hope he gets thrown in jail for a long time and someone throws his ass on the ground like that everyday! Thank you Mr.Cooks for having the courage to try and stop this sick f–k and turning him in!!

  40. by reading peoples comments you can tell who is racist an who’s not smh the point is the man abused a dog who did nothing to him! everything else is irrelevant …

  41. Seriously that’s messed up what a piece of worthless trash! an the person laughing is sick in the head or not raised properly you decide!! ” haha he body slammed the dog” how is that funny? I’m not changing the subject the cops took care of that animal abuser, now someone needs to teach that “child” a lesson for laughing at a not funny situation. Corrupt!!

    • your stupid, its BECAUSE of them and this video that this [removed] got caught. grow up

      • wow you really are a non caring person imagin if that was you how would you feel you would probably hope an amazing person like Mr.Cooks would call the police because your owner is abusing you and laughing as he is doing it that dog needs some TLC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        That Dush Bag he deserves to be shot and thrown in the bottom of the ocean I just want to kill that abusing freak

  42. Irony: dog gets saved from cruelty only to end up at the pound where hell probably be put to sleep…

    • To be put to sleep, or to be beat all the time. I would rather be released than to be abused. Yes, it is irony.
      If an animal is to be tormented, it would be better to be released.

    • usually when an animal is featured like this one, there are people already looking to adopt it.

  43. He needs to be thrown in my backyard. One word “intruder” and my two very large dogs will throw him around like that. Awful for anyone to treat an animal like that!!

    • you said it I got a big Shepard I’d like that guy try to throw around see if that works out but no one should treat a dog like that

    • What do you have against Cook? The point here is that the man was known for and caught abusing the dog… “He more then (than is the correct term) likely fueled the situation to the point where this occurred.” REALLY? Did Cook physically cause him to abuse the dog? How do you verbally cause someone to abuse a dog to this level? Please stop being a cyber hater/bully and give credit where credit is due. No dog deserves to be treated that way and the man got caught on tape due to Mr. Cooks intervention. THANK YOU MR. COOKS!!!!

  45. Thank you and God bless you Mr. COOKS. I hope they fry his *ss. We need more folks like yourself. You ROCK!!!

  46. Omg. This is so sickening. Thank u Lindsey Cook for doing this. Animals r humans too people. Your a great man for bringing this is the sheriff’s attention

  47. Thank you Lindsey Cooks for calling the Sheriff on this jerk. I hope a new home is found for the dog.