A friendly dog owned by a Santa Rita resident was attacked, and two young boys now stand accused of taking advantage of the animal's kind nature.  The incident was caught on camera and widely shared on social media. 

Many are outraged and horrified at the video, which has gone viral with local users. The footage disturbing showing a Santa Rita teenager brutally beating the dog with a wooden board, knocking the animal unconscious, while the other behind the camera cheered on.  WhatsApp and neighborhood watch chats have rallied to identify those responsible.

Overnight, the Guam Police Department confirmed 19-year-old Daren Quinata and a 13-year-old boy were taken into custody.  Quinata faces animal cruelty charges and was taken to the Department of Corrections. 

The younger teen was taken to Department of Youth Affairs. Santa Rita mayor Dale Alvarez is upset over the violent attack, telling KUAM News, “No reason at all,"he said about the boys' motive. "And I thought that was cruel. I think a lot of my constituents were really upset, and I don’t blame them. My own family, my two daughters, and granddaughters, don’t even want to look at the video when they heard what happened because, you know, they’re dog lovers. “

The mayor echoed the frustration of others, adding,  “They’re sick– I mean, you know, you can flex your muscles when you do some good deeds, but, to hurt an animal and then flex your muscles and pose for the picture with your muscles showing, I think the guy needs help.” 

The incident left others asking - why would anyone do this to a harmless pet? Guam Animals In Need board member Gabe Baker said, “It’s a repeated thing, so this is taught! So, apparently, someone taught that 19-year-old that it's okay, and now the 19-year-old is probably—is a relative or something to the 13-year-old kid—and he’s showing him that.” 

Baker and Mayor Alvarez express the solution lies in compassion, educational outreach, owners properly tying up their dogs, and spaying  and neutering.  As for the dog, the mayor says the owner is shaken up, but his furry friend is doing okay, eating well, and would be treated by a vet for the trauma.