Sign: Man Dragged His Tethered Dog for Miles Behind Jeep, Causing Fatal Injuries

Published: July 15, 2025 at 09:04 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

San Diego County, CA – On the evening of July 2, people traveling on Edgewood Drive in Spring Valley witnessed a horrifying incident that proved to be fatal for an innocent dog. On that day, a Jeep Cherokee, going approximately 30 mph, was being driven along the road with a red and brown Doberman tethered to the back – video of the horrifying situation showed the dog flailing helplessly as he was dragged along the hot pavement, his body suffering indescribable injuries.

Shortly after the incident happened, San Diego County reached out to the public in an effort to find the driver, describing what transpired:

Witnesses observed a red and brown Doberman being dragged behind a vehicle traveling at an estimated 30 miles per hour near the 9100 block of Edgewood Drive in Spring Valley. Witnesses reported that the dog was flipping over while being dragged, and that the driver appeared to laugh and ignored bystanders’ attempts to intervene. The incident continued for several minutes along Bancroft Drive.

As soon as the local news picked up on the cruel situation, the driver came forward to the authorities. He is identified as 58-year-old Joseph Holland, a man that San Diego County Animal Services states is “a person who is experiencing homelessness.”

Holland claims it was an accident – even though witnesses saw him laughing and ignoring their desperate efforts to get him to STOP his vehicle. 

Vaughn Maurice, director of County Animal Services, said:

“This is an incredibly sad and disturbing case. While we are grateful to have identified the person responsible, our hearts break for this dog and what it endured.”

The dog Holland dragged behind his vehicle had to be euthanized because of the devastating injuries. This man must be held accountable for what he did to his dog. The dog (whose name is reported to be Ralph), suffered horribly during the agonizing time he was dragged along the road behind Holland’s Jeep.

The amount of terror and pain Ralph endured as his body was battered and skin ripped away is unfathomable. Please add your name to the petition and help Animal Victory put this man behind bars for as long as legally allowable! What this man did is UNEXCUSABLE!

Click here to watch the video of Ralph being dragged. Warning: It is difficult to watch.

Target: Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand that Joseph Holland be held accountable for the pain and suffering he put his dog, Ralph, through while dragging him behind his moving vehicle. County officials have stated that Holland is “experiencing homelessness.” To be clear, being homeless does NOT give someone the right to break the law and treat another living being cruelly! Holland must face the true repercussions for what he did to this innocent dog. Laws must recognize the actual seriousness of animal abuse and ensure that those who commit these cruel acts are held fully accountable.

Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold this man accountable not only denies justice to his dog, who suffered and died, but also endangers the community at large. We must send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

Note: It is reported that Joseph Holland is facing an animal cruelty charge; it is our understanding that he continues to walk free.

News:

County News Center

WFSB

Times of San Diego

KOLO News Now

Update 7/16/2025: Chuck Westerheide, Communications Officer for the Public Safety Communications Division for San Diego, confirmed that the case has been turned over and is being reviewed by the San Diego District Attorney for specific charges. Animal Victory will check back with the San Diego District Attorney on Friday when they will have made their decision on whether this case should be charged, who will be the ADA, and if a case number has been assigned.