NewsLocal News

Actions

Elaine Rosa, woman accused of dragging dog behind scooter, due in court

Posted at 7:32 AM, Jul 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-15 10:32:21-04

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The woman believed to be caught on video dragging a dog behind a scooter while riding through a local neighborhood is set to be in court this week.

Elaine Rosa is facing felony animal abuse charges. Back in January a video surfaced showing a woman on an electric scooter while a dog was being dragged behind her. That woman is believed to be Rosa.

The viral video spread across social media, sparking protests and calls for justice for the injured dog. In result, Rosa was charged with cruelty to an animal and a misdemeanor charge of failing to provide animal care. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the police report, officers even recreated the incident, with an officer weighing close to the same as Rosa on Jan. 6 and dragging an 18-pound bag of potatoes behind the same scooter. The report also shows the dog, Zebra, suffered injuries "consistent with being hit by a car" according to the animal hospital that treated the dog.

Elaine Rosa's wife, shown to be the legal owner of the dog according to the report, took Zebra to Animal Emergency and Urgent Care the day after Rosa was stopped by witnesses on A Street in Downtown Bakersfield. She told police she initially lied to the hospital about how the animal was injured, telling officers she was concerned the hospital would deny treatment and take the dog.

In February the district attorney's office filed charges and Rosa turned herself in. She is due in court Tuesday at 9 a.m.