Austin Man Charged in Viral Dog Abuse Video

Arrest follows public outcry over disturbing footage of man mistreating Blue Lacy dog

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 35-year-old Austin man named John Kaschak has been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, after a disturbing video of him abusing a Blue Lacy dog named Boone went viral on social media. The Austin Police Department acted quickly on tips from the public to apprehend Kaschak, highlighting the growing role of citizen journalism in exposing animal abuse. Boone is currently under the care of Austin Animal Services, which is facing a strain on resources due to the high number of abuse cases.

Why it matters

This case underscores the power of social media in bringing animal cruelty to light and holding perpetrators accountable. It also shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by animal shelters like Austin Animal Services, which must manage a high volume of abuse cases with limited resources. The severity of the charges against Kaschak reflects the legal system's increasing recognition of the seriousness of animal abuse.

The details

According to police, the video posted to Reddit on February 8th showed Kaschak repeatedly shoving and striking the 8-year-old Blue Lacy dog, Boone, at an apartment complex. The evidence from the video, combined with witness testimonies, provided the necessary probable cause for Kaschak's arrest on February 12th. Boone is currently under the care of Austin Animal Services, which is responsible for handling all of the city's animal cruelty cases. The shelter is currently caring for approximately 50 animals involved in separate abuse cases, putting a significant strain on its resources.

  • The video was posted to Reddit on February 8th, 2026.
  • Kaschak was arrested on February 12th, 2026.
  • Kaschak's last day of employment at American Ventures was February 6th, 2026.

The players

John Kaschak

A 35-year-old Austin resident who was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, following the circulation of a disturbing video showing him abusing a Blue Lacy dog named Boone.

Boone

An 8-year-old Blue Lacy dog who was the victim of the abuse captured in the viral video.

Austin Police Department (APD)

The law enforcement agency that acted swiftly to arrest Kaschak after receiving numerous reports and tips from the public regarding the abuse of Boone.

Austin Animal Services

The organization responsible for handling all of APD's animal cruelty cases, which is currently caring for approximately 50 animals involved in separate abuse cases, putting a significant strain on its resources.

Shravan Parsi

The CEO of American Ventures, the firm that confirmed Kaschak was no longer employed there, stating the company was "angered, shocked, and saddened" by the video.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.