BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Elaine Rosa, the woman accused of dragging a small dog behind an electric scooter in January of 2019, has been ordered to stand trial on felony charges of animal cruelty.
Judge Thomas S. Clark said that there was sufficient evidence to move forward with a trial on both counts. Rosa is charged with one felony count cruelty to an animal and a misdemeanor charge for failing to provide care to an animal.
Video of Rosa dragging the animal went viral in 2019 and sparked community outrage.
Court proceedings for Rosa began Friday, when Sgt. Dossy of the Bakersfield Police Department was called to the witness stand.
Dossy revealed the court that they obtained video surveillance from numerous areas showing the moments when Rosa allegedly dragged the dog about a half mile around downtown Bakersfield.
An Animal Control Officer and a bike rider at the scene both identified Rosa as the woman dragging the dog on the Scooter.
Rosa’s next hearing is scheduled for June 12, when a trial date will be set.
