Photo:Dylan McTaggart
Ventura County – In the world of sport, few can claim the distance record for punting a dog into the air, but 25-year-old transient Dylan McTaggart is very likely a contender for the Animal Kicking Hall of Fame.
According to the report issued by the Port Hueneme Police Department Watch Commander, officers were dispatched to an area beach parking lot on the afternoon of August 9th in response to a witness call indicating “a person disturbing others and involved in a fight with lifeguards.” Responding officers observed McTaggart “throwing punches” at lifeguards just before fleeing on foot.
After apprehending McTaggart, officers gathered witness statements and learned that he had “approached a woman walking her miniature schnauzer” and summarily kicked the dog “approximately 15 feet into the air.” The airborne canine landed a distance away, suffering major internal injuries that—upon examination by a veterinarian—included “a collapsed lung and displaced heart.”
McTaggart—known to law enforcement pursuant to “numerous prior contacts” for assorted assaults and as a convicted sex offender—was on probation at the time for assaults upon peace officers and theft. He was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of felony animal cruelty, assault on a lifeguard, and public fighting. He remains in custody with his bail set at $25,000.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
