Hawai‘i Island police arrested a 30-year-old Pāhoa man for second-degree animal cruelty after receiving multiple tips regarding a video circulating on social media depicting a man beating a dog. 

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, police initiated a cruelty to animals investigation and identified the suspect as 30-year-old Bronson Valencia-Yasue of Pāhoa. Officers conducted multiple area checks for Valencia-Yasue and the dog but were unable to locate either of them.

The Animal Control and Protection Agency was also contacted and notified of this incident.

On Thursday morning March 21, Valencia-Yasue turned himself in to police in Hilo where he was arrested and charged for second-degree animal cruelty. However, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney was unable to file formal charges in court due to certain information being unknown at this time and Valencia-Yasue was subsequently released from police custody.

The whereabouts of the dog are unknown at this time.

This investigation is still ongoing and police ask that anyone with information to please contact Officer Boyd Bangloy of Puna Patrol at (808) 965-2716 or by email at boyd.bangloy@hawaiicounty.gov. 

The Hawai’i Police Department thanks the public for their assistance in providing information and tips regarding this incident. The investigation will be forwarded to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney upon completion for further review.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.