Police to Be Protested for Failure to Act in Dog-Beating Case

For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2021

Contact:
Nicole Meyer 202-483-7382

Tomorrow, PETA protesters with signs demanding, “Austin PD: Remove Lola From Her Abuser!” will descend on the Austin Police Department, which has sparked outrage by concluding that the violent on-camera attacks on a dog named Lola didn’t break any laws—and by apparently leaving the evidently elderly and disabled dog in her abuser’s custody.

When:      Tuesday, May 11, 12 noon

Where:      Austin Police Department, 715 E. Eighth St. (near the intersection with S. IH 35 Frontage Road), Austin

The videos show a woman violently yanking the dog’s leash, forcefully smacking and punching the old dog, lifting her by the tail, and forcing her to stand on her hind legs while restraining her in a chokehold as she yelps in obvious distress. PETA is asking authorities to conduct a fresh review of the evidence and pursue all appropriate charges—and is rallying its members and supporters to flood the offices of the Austin Police Department, the Travis County district attorney, the Austin City Council, and City Manager Spencer Cronk with demands for Lola’s rescue.

“Nobody who slaps and punches a dog, especially one who is so vulnerable, can be trusted to care for an animal,” says PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is calling on police to protect Lola by getting her away from her abuser immediately.”