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DECISION. MARTINEZ SAYS HE’S STILL ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING. A 22 YEAR OLD OMAHA MAN ARRESTED AND ACCUSED OF ABUSING SEVERAL DOGS. DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS FREDDIE GARCIA JUNIOR WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA MULTIPLE TIMES HURTING THE DOGS. THEY SAY SOMEONE WITNESSED THE ABUSE A FEW WEEKS AGO NEAR 21ST AND BENTON. DEPUTIES SAY THEY CONDUCTED A
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Douglas County Sheriff’s Office makes arrest in animal cruelty investigation
Investigators say a Nebraska Humane Society complaint led to animal seizures and felony charges.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said a suspect was arrested after an animal cruelty investigation that began with a complaint to the Nebraska Humane Society.In February 2026, the Nebraska Humane Society said it received a report from a concerned resident about the welfare of dogs in Douglas County. The agency reviewed the videos included with the complaint and contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for assistance with the investigation.Warning: The next sentence contains a brief reference to disturbing allegations. Authorities said the videos appear to show Freddy Garcia Jr. kicking, punching, and using other forms of abuse on at least three different dogs.Authorities said the investigation identified the suspect as Freddy Garcia Jr., age 22.On Thursday, March 5, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said its Special Operations Group and Criminal Investigations Division, working with Nebraska Humane Society animal control investigators, served a search warrant at Garcia’s residence. Authorities said they seized three dogs, three guinea pigs, one bearded dragon, and an assortment of fish. Two cats were later turned over to the Nebraska Humane Society. Altogether, authorities said at least 12 animals were involved: three dogs, three guinea pigs, one bearded dragon, an assortment of fish, and two cats.The sheriff’s office said one of the dogs, Apollo, a 10-year-old gray Chihuahua, was brought to the Nebraska Humane Society deceased in late January 2026. On Friday, March 13, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said investigators arrested Garcia on three felony counts of intentional torture, mutilation, or beating of an animal.Sheriff Aaron Hanson said the sheriff’s office takes animal cruelty allegations seriously and encouraged the public to report suspected abuse and support the Nebraska Humane Society.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said a suspect was arrested after an animal cruelty investigation that began with a complaint to the Nebraska Humane Society.
In February 2026, the Nebraska Humane Society said it received a report from a concerned resident about the welfare of dogs in Douglas County. The agency reviewed the videos included with the complaint and contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for assistance with the investigation.
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Warning: The next sentence contains a brief reference to disturbing allegations.
Authorities said the videos appear to show Freddy Garcia Jr. kicking, punching, and using other forms of abuse on at least three different dogs.
Authorities said the investigation identified the suspect as Freddy Garcia Jr., age 22.
On Thursday, March 5, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said its Special Operations Group and Criminal Investigations Division, working with Nebraska Humane Society animal control investigators, served a search warrant at Garcia’s residence. Authorities said they seized three dogs, three guinea pigs, one bearded dragon, and an assortment of fish. Two cats were later turned over to the Nebraska Humane Society.
Altogether, authorities said at least 12 animals were involved: three dogs, three guinea pigs, one bearded dragon, an assortment of fish, and two cats.
The sheriff’s office said one of the dogs, Apollo, a 10-year-old gray Chihuahua, was brought to the Nebraska Humane Society deceased in late January 2026.
On Friday, March 13, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said investigators arrested Garcia on three felony counts of intentional torture, mutilation, or beating of an animal.
Sheriff Aaron Hanson said the sheriff’s office takes animal cruelty allegations seriously and encouraged the public to report suspected abuse and support the Nebraska Humane Society.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
