California woman who dragged dog while riding scooter terminated as psychologist, charged w felony
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE (February 16, 2019 8 a.m.) As of 8 a.m., Rosa posted bail and is no longer in custody.
--------------------
UPDATE (February 16, 2019 7:15 a.m.): Elaine Rosa has been booked for one felony charge of cruelty to an animal and one misdemeanor charge of failing to provide animal care.
--------------------
Elaine Rosa, who was accused of dragging a dog behind a scooter has been charged with animal abuse and neglect.
Charges were filed on Friday, February 15 by the District Attorney's Office against Elaine Rosa for animal abuse and neglect. One felony charge and one misdemeanor charge have been filed.
Rosa faces 3 years jail time and a $20,000 fine.
Bo Koenig, Attorney for Rosa has released a statement.
“We were recently advised by law enforcement that official charges have been filed against my client. I’ve reached out to my client and we plan on cooperating with law enforcement 100 percent. She is in the process of turning herself over to the authorities this evening.”
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Rosa was a contracted psychologist at Kern Valley State Prison beginning on Jan. 3, 2018. Her contract was terminated on Jan. 7, 2019.
Bakersfield Police say that they have begun making efforts to take her into custody for her arrest warrant.
The viral video that showed Elaine Rosa dragging a small dog behind an electric scooter in January sparked an uproar on social media. Rosa was a former employee of the Kern Valley State Prison as a contracted psychologist. Her contract was terminated on January 7. https://www.turnto23.com/video-appears-to-show-person-dragging-dog-on-electric-scooter-in-downtown-bakersfield
It is unknown if the video played into her termination.
According to Bakersfield Police, Rosa was not the owner of the dog . The dog has since been returned to its owner and received medical treatment.
https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/district-attorney-charges-filed-against-woman-accused-of-dragging-dog-behind-scooter
?resize=720%2C960
---
On Monday, another viewer contacted 23ABC with surveillance videos appearing to show the same woman dragging a dog on the ground while riding a scooter.
“It looked like a stuffed animal at first, because it was motionless,” said Brandon Sanders, who told 23 ABC he witnessed the incident with his girlfriend during a Sunday afternoon bike ride.
Sanders said, him and his girlfriend followed the woman yelling at her to stop, but the woman she was wearing headphones at the time and he wasn't sure if she heard them.
The video appears to show the person stop the scooter look at the dog and then drag it by the collar closer to the sidewalk before picking the dog up.
As Sanders got closer to the woman, he said he asked her if she and her dog were OK. Sanders said the woman said, "S--t happens just like it does with kids." "We told her no you don't drag your kids behind a scooter at 15 miles-per-hour," Sanders told 23ABC.
Sanders said “the dog popped it’s head up. It wasn’t making any noises or anything like that. It was kind of surprising, and when I got up closer, I could see all the bloody paws. It wasn't just one paw; it was all four."
-------------------
The dog, named Zebra, received medical treatment, and a medical plan was established with a veterinarian and the dog's legal owner to address its injuries, police said.
The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail and up to a $20,000 fine, and the misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail.
News of Rosa's charges being filed against Rosa brought swift reaction on social media.
"Wiped that smirk off her face," wrote Barbara Rogers on Facebook.
Another person with the account of Jason N. Tina Tiner wrote, "Please make a felony charge stick! It's important."
And Jay Williams wrote, "Put me on the jury."
Rosa worked as a contracted psychologist at Kern Valley State Prison. Her contract was terminated a day after the incident, which occurred in the 2100 block of Pine Street.
https://www.bakersfield.com/news/breaking/felony-animal-cruelty-charge-filed-against-woman-accused-of-dragging/article_42542d48-317d-11e9-8e20-af9752a9a840.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
What a sick, sick person! That poor dog! I am so glad she is getting hit with a felony charge and losing her job. Personally, I thing her punishment should be harsher than that.
Grrrr! 
She seemed proud of herself.
