LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) animal-cruelty investigation led to the arrest of a dog trainer and an employee connected to Working Dogs of Nevada Rescue, according to an arrest report.
Detectives allege John Johnstone, a trainer at the rescue, used excessive and harmful training methods on multiple dogs at the facility near Lake Mead and Tenaya.
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Police say a former employee’s cellphone videos sparked the investigation, leading detectives to review surveillance footage that they allege shows shock-collar use and forceful leash handling. The report also includes still images taken from the surveillance video.
Police said Johnstone’s actions went beyond what was reasonable for training and caused unnecessary suffering. Tabitha Berube, an employee at the rescue, was also arrested after police alleged she witnessed an incident involving a dog and failed to intervene.
Records show LVMPD and City of Las Vegas officials later contacted the business for an emergency shutdown, and 35 dogs were transferred to the care of City of Las Vegas Animal Protection Services. The report states shock collars were seen on dogs in kennels, including young puppies.
Johnstone and Berube were taken into custody on Wednesday, April 1, and both declined to speak with investigators without an attorney, the report states. Both have since posted bail and are due back in court on Wednesday, April 29.
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