A 32-year-old Desert Hot Springs man is facing a felony animal cruelty charge after security cameras at Huntington Harbour Marina allegedly caught him hoisting a pug by its leash, restricting its airway, and punching the dog before officers arrived and took him into custody early Sunday morning.
William Kenneth Slocum was booked into custody at 1:05 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, on suspicion of intentional animal cruelty, according to Huntington Beach Police Department arrest log records reported by the New York Post. The arrest came after Steve Tripp, who reviewed live footage for Corona-based remote surveillance firm Secure Tel LLC, spotted the incident unfolding on camera and immediately called police. Secure Tel is a virtual remote live-monitoring company.
According to the Post's account of the footage, Slocum hoisted the pug over his shoulder by its leash, suspended the dog off the ground, and restricted its airway before punching it at least twice more. Tripp said Slocum appeared to be under the influence during the attack and displayed erratic behavior, including licking his own hands. The pug appeared to be in visible distress, per Tripp, walking in a crooked manner with its tongue hanging out before Slocum tied it to a gate, where it paced in circles.
Video of the Incident Spreads Fast
Footage showing the suspect suspending the pug by its leash at the marina went viral across local news outlets and social media shortly after the incident, as reported by Orange County Patch. Huntington Harbour is a coastal waterfront community in northern Huntington Beach known for private boat slips, public docks, and residential waterways, a setting that made the marina's security cameras an unlikely but crucial witness. Secure Tel also posted a statement about the incident on Instagram, according to the Post's reporting.
Police arrested Slocum at the scene, and the pug was turned over to Orange County Animal Care. Authorities have not released updates on the dog's current medical condition.
What Happens to the Pug Now
The pug was turned over to Orange County Animal Care, and authorities have not released updates on the dog's current medical condition. That facility handles a heavy caseload countywide — a 2023 Orange County Grand Jury report found OCAC staff manage an average of 350 to 400 animals daily at the Tustin site, with attendants handling an average of 48 animals per shift and, in some cases, as many as 90, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office's Animal Cruelty Unit includes prosecutors and investigators. Huntington Beach police arrested Slocum.
Potential Penalties Under State Law
Under California Penal Code Section 597, animal cruelty is a wobbler offense that prosecutors can charge as either a misdemeanor or a felony, according to Cron Israels and Stark. A felony conviction carries up to three years in state prison, fines up to $20,000, formal probation, and permanent loss of animal ownership rights.
Slocum faces a felony charge of intentional animal cruelty, though he remains presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise. It remains unclear whether Slocum was the pug's legal owner, and no additional charges related to intoxication or controlled substances have been announced.
