Burlingame Dog Sitter Charged With Animal Cruelty After Incident Caught On Camera

BURLINGAME (CBS SF) -- A Burlingame dog-sitting business owner is being charged with animal abuse after a neighbor captured video of the woman allegedly mistreating a dog in her care.

Linda Levac has been charged with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

The video, shot by a neighbor of the business last month, showed the dog sitter jerking the small dog by the neck and slamming on the ground, then slapping it repeatedly.

The owners of the dog did not want to speak with the media, but wanted people to know the dog – a six year old, neutered male Spaniel mix – is doing well, according to the Humane Society.

The owners also told the Humane Society they were very disappointed to learn that members of the public, both in person and on the Internet, have been making death threats against the dog-sitter.

Spokeswoman Christina Handley said it did not appear the dog suffered any lasting injuries, but the Humane Society would still be submitting it to the district attorney's office as a case of animal cruelty.

Levac is scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday morning.  She was released on $10,000 bail.