The video shows a man dragging a dog to a couch before striking it in the head and kicking it multiple times.
AZLE, Texas — An Azle firefighter and paramedic has been placed on administrative leave after a video surfaced on social media appearing to show him beating a dog, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The employee, whose name has not been released, marked his one-year anniversary with the department in July, when he participated in a pinning ceremony.
“We are following all appropriate procedures to address the situation,” the Azle Fire Department said in a statement. “While we are limited in what we can share regarding personnel matters, we want to assure the public that we are committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of our community.”
The video, reportedly captured on a Ring camera inside a living room, shows a man dragging a dog to a couch before striking it in the head and kicking it multiple times. The dog attempts to flee but is pulled back, hit, and kicked again. At one point, the man forces the dog’s head to the floor and holds it there before the dog escapes the room.
Azle Fire Chief Will Scott said he first learned of the video Tuesday night during a city council meeting. The footage was also sent to the Azle Professional Fire Fighters Association. Chief Scott said the case has been turned over to Internal Affairs, and the firefighter is on leave pending the outcome of that investigation.
WFAA also obtained another video that shows the same man yelling at a child. In a statement posted to Facebook, the Azle Professional Firefighters Association wrote: “Azle firefighters are deeply troubled and saddened by the recently published videos depicting a member of our association engaged in apparent physical abuse of an animal and verbal abuse of a child. We condemn abuse in any form, and we stand with the community in demanding accountability and justice.”
The Fort Worth Police Department said it is aware of the video and that a detective is looking into the incident. However, as of now, no one has officially filed a police report.
The video, reportedly recorded in Fort Worth, was shared in a Facebook group called “Are We Dating the Same Guy,” apparently by the man’s former girlfriend.