A disturbing viral clip making the rounds on social media shows an adult man on Columbus’s west side hurling a large stone at a brown dog resting on a porch stoop at an apartment complex. The video, posted Wednesday, quickly triggered a wave of outrage and prompted local animal-welfare officials to launch an investigation.
The footage, posted to Facebook on July 8 and filmed at the Wedgewood Village Apartments on the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive, appears to show the man throw a sizable stone that strikes the dog, then hit the animal a second time, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The outlet reports the post has been shared more than 1,100 times and has drawn over 1,000 likes and comments as anger mounted online.
Columbus Humane says its Law Investigations team has opened a formal cruelty inquiry and that the dog has been removed from the residence and given veterinary care, according to Columbus Humane. Carol Spychalski, the organization’s CEO, told The Columbus Dispatch, "We are deeply saddened by the treatment shown in the video." The Dispatch also notes that anyone with tips or additional footage is urged to contact Columbus Humane’s law investigations dispatch at 614-777-7387 ext. 250.
What investigators are doing
Every time we answer a call to investigate a potential case of cruelty or neglect, we never know what we'll find, Columbus Humane explains on its reporting page, which describes its role as the lead law-enforcement agency for animal cruelty cases in Franklin County. The organization reports it conducts roughly 6,000 cruelty investigations a year, rescues more than 1,100 animals annually and maintains a conviction rate above 90% in Franklin County Environmental Court, underscoring how aggressively it pursues cases like this one.
How to report
Anyone with video, photos, or information about the incident is asked to contact Columbus Humane’s Law Investigations dispatch line at 614-777-7387. Clear footage that shows a suspect’s face and the exact location of the incident is especially helpful for building a case. Columbus Humane accepts reports online and by voicemail around the clock and advises witnesses to save original video files so investigators can verify when and where they were recorded.
The case remains under active investigation by Columbus Humane, and no criminal charges or arrests have been announced. Local authorities and the humane organization are urging residents with any relevant information to come forward so investigators can determine what happens next.
