In Las Vegas, a dog trainer and an employee were arrested and charged with animal cruelty this week after being accused of misusing shock collars and other abusive training techniques to gain compliance from dogs.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), on April 1, 2026, detectives executed a search warrant at Working Dogs of Nevada Rescue in the 7300 block of West Lake Mead Boulevard. Detectives arrested John Johnstone, who faces charges of willful, malicious torture, maiming or killing of an animal, according to police.
In addition, Tabitha Berub, an employee at the business, was also arrested and faces charges of willful malicious torture, maiming or killing of an animal.
According to the organization’s website, the staff and trainers rescue and rehabilitate dogs with behavior issues, neglect, abandonment of medical issues.
Three phone videos were submitted to authorities which showed disturbing instances of dogs being dragged and at one point being kicked by Johnstone. The first video showed Johnstone standing in the middle of a room holding a shock collar used for dogs. The dog, named Jeb, could be heard whining in the video, and Johnstone is seen approaching the dog, pulling him to a raised platform and then using his foot to push the leash down forcing Jeb to lie down.
In both the second and third videos, Johnstone is seen with a large black dog known as MarmaDuke who is wearing a shock collar, plus a second collar attached to a long leash. When Johnnstone tells MarmaDuke to lie down, the dog does not obey. MarmaDuke could then be heard whining, and it was assumed the dog had been shocked by the collar into obedience. Johnstone then lifted the dog by his leash pulling on his collar until the dog’s feet no longer touched the ground.
Another cruelty allegation involved Dottie, a white pit bull. Video showed Johnstone lifting the dog into the air by her leash and swinging her multiple times when she did not follow commands. Berub had been there for the abuse.
Sadly, the mistreatment continued. A former employee stated Johnstone, in some instances, would use three different collars on the dogs while in training which included both a shock and prong collar. When the dogs would not obey, the shock collar would be used until they cried out.
There were 15 dogs cramped in kennels and 35 other dogs living in poor conditions. The dogs have been removed from the facility pending the investigation. The dogs are currently in the care of the Animal Foundation.
The license of the facility has been suspended pending the investigation results.
Johnstone and Berub are scheduled to appear in court later this month.
Be careful where you leave your dogs for training.
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