He Beat a Dog, Fled the Scene, and Was Caught. Now the Public Wants Justice for Ralphie
A Violent Attack in Broad Daylight
On April 18, 2025, a shocking act of animal cruelty unfolded in a Lowe’s parking lot on Linda Lane in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Witnesses saw a man savagely beating a dog inside his parked pickup truck. When bystanders tried to intervene, the man fled the scene—hitting another vehicle as he sped away.
The dog, later named Ralphie by rescuers, was taken to a veterinarian and is now recovering. But the violence Ralphie endured has sparked outrage across the country. And now, the public is demanding real consequences.
From Social Media to Arrest
The next day, a social media post describing the assault began to circulate. Thanks to tips from the public and diligent work from Harrisonburg’s Animal Control unit, the suspect was soon identified as 35-year-old David Joseph Liguori.
He was arrested without incident and now faces multiple charges:
- Cruelty to Animals (Code 3.2-6570)
- Hit and Run (Code 46.2-896)
- Confinement of Animals in Vehicle Prohibited (City Ordinance 15-2-5)
While the arrest is a positive step, advocates are calling for more. They say this is not just a legal issue—it’s a matter of public safety.
“This isn’t just about Ralphie,” one advocate said. “Someone who can brutalize a dog in public, then flee and hit another car without stopping, is a danger to the community. We need to treat it like that.”
A Survivor Named Ralphie
Thanks to quick action by bystanders and local authorities, Ralphie survived the incident and is now in the care of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA. He was evaluated by a veterinarian and is receiving the medical attention and compassion he desperately needs.
While his physical injuries are being treated, the emotional scars may take longer to heal. Dogs, like people, can suffer lasting trauma from abuse. It’s unclear how long Ralphie had been with Liguori or whether there were other instances of mistreatment.
Local animal welfare workers say Ralphie is doing well under the circumstances and will be available for adoption after his recovery. His story has touched thousands, many of whom are asking how they can help.
The best way? Keep the pressure on.
A Community Demands Change
Source: WHSV.com
Harrisonburg residents and animal lovers across the country are calling for stronger consequences in cases like this. They’re asking for more than just charges—they want to see proactive enforcement that keeps both animals and communities safe.
Suspending a driver’s license might seem unrelated to animal cruelty, but in this case, it’s not. The vehicle was not only the location of the abuse—it became the suspect’s escape route. By fleeing the scene and causing a hit-and-run, Liguori showed disregard not only for Ralphie but for the safety of others.
Animal cruelty is often a precursor to more serious crimes. That’s why every act of abuse must be met with serious consequences.
Let’s ensure that happens here.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Seven Dogs Endured 8 Inches of Waste in Camper—Now the Public Wants Justice
- Georgia the K-9 Died in a Sweltering Patrol Car. Now the Public Wants Justice.
- This Dog Was So Starved He Couldn’t Walk—But He Still Tried to Escape
- 260 Dogs Trapped in Filth and Silence—Now the Public Demands Justice
- He Kept Dozens OF Dogs in Filth—Now He Wants Them Back. We Can’t Let That Happen.
