Police say owner of Lompoc puppy found tied up arrested

Lompoc Police are charging a man with felony animal cruelty after a puppy in his care was found with his muzzle and rear legs bound with rubber bands, according to police.

On June 6, Lompoc City Fire responded to a fire on Crown Circle where they found Edward Vantassel, 37, of Lompoc standing outside of the home. According to firefighters, he said his dog was still in the home on the second floor.

Once inside firefighter said they found the puppy, bound and trapped in a box that was overturned and weighted down. They immediately cut the rubber bands from the puppy’s muzzle and legs and removed it from the home, and then called animal control, where the puppy was treated.

The Lompoc Police detectives were contacted and began an Animal Cruelty investigation. On June 13, 2017 detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Edward Vantassel. He was arrested outside of Animal Contol on Wednesday where he was attending a hearing for the puppy.

Edward Vantassel is charged with Cruelty to an Animal, a felony. His bail is set at $100,000. He has been booked into Santa Barbara County Jail.

Pooh was treated by a local veterinarian and is well on the road to recovery. He was been placed with a foster family.