Dog walker charged with animal cruelty after video shown to Medford Police
MEDFORD - A dog walker has been charged with animal cruelty after police say he was caught on video hitting a dog in Medford.
Frederick Ingrando, 33, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday in Somerville District Court. He was arrested shortly after the incident Sunday morning. Medford Police said Ingrando was walking a group of dogs around 11 a.m. in the area of Fellsway West and Sheridan Ave. when something went wrong.
"Do not give me attitude"
According to the prosecutor, Ingrando started hitting a golden retriever and yelled, "Do not give me attitude!"
Witnesses told officers Ingrando "struck one of the dogs multiple times in the head and then lifted the dog off the ground by its collar in a harmful manner."
Curt Ford, who lives across the street, came out when he heard screaming. "What I saw was him holding the dog, whether it's by the neck or by the collar, and then using his leg to trip the dog in almost like a wrestling move to take him to the ground."
One of the witness recorded the incident on video and called police after Ingrando allegedly started swearing and yelling racial slurs at them. Officers watched the video and then went to Ingrando's home in Medford and arrested him.
In a statement, Medford Police said the dogs were taken to a "safe location" where they could be picked up by their owners.
"The dog that was struck was taken to a local veterinarian to be evaluated," police said. Ingrando did not own any of the dogs, according to authorities.
At his arraignment Monday, he was ordered to stay away from the dogs and their owners. He was released on a promise to return to court for a pre-trial hearing on April 30.
"Zero tolerance"
A Rover spokesperson told WBZ that they removed Ingrando's account from the app. He had been hired by several pet owners through the app.
"We we're shocked and disturbed to learn of this abhorrent behavior. There is zero tolerance for this type of treatment of pets in our community," a spokesperson for Rover said in a statement to WBZ.
"I love dogs"
Ingrando ran away from reporters and photographers outside court. He then yelled, "I love dogs and I'll always love dogs," as he got into a car and left with his father.
"I just want to say you guys are all nuts for chasing this story. It's a joke," Ingrando's father told reporters.
