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Antioch Man Charged In Animal Cruelty Case For Alleged Puppy Beating

ANTIOCH (CBS SF) -- A man arrested last week on suspicion of severely beating a puppy in Antioch has been charged with animal cruelty, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.

William Landers, 23, faces the felony charge after a witness reported seeing him beating a puppy repeatedly at 8:18 a.m. Wednesday on West Eighth Street and G Street, according to Antioch police.

Officers responded to investigate the report and located Landers and the puppy. The dog appeared lifeless, unable to move, according to police.

Landers apparently told police that the puppy fell out of the Target shopping cart the dog was in, and that Landers was trying to administer CPR.

Antioch Animal Services took the dog to a veterinarian. That veterinarian confirmed that the dog had injuries consistent with being beaten, such as body contusions, according to police.

The dog's body temperature had dropped below being measurable.

Antioch Animal Services officials could not be immediately reached Tuesday for an update on the dog's condition.

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