A Baylor University football player was reportedly caught on video abusing his dog, and he was charged by the Waco Police Department. Wide receiver Ishmael Zamora will be disciplined by both the school and the athletic department, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald.
The June incident led to a Class C misdemeanor charge and an up to $500 citation, said Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton. The sergeant told The Daily Beast that the animal did not have any official injuries, though the beating “certainly... looked like it hurt.” The dog has been removed from Zamora’s custody and police believe the animal is in his mother’s care.
“We’re not going to tolerate it,” Bears coach Jim Grobe told the Waco Tribune-Herald. “He’s going to be disciplined by a bunch of people. The city is going to get a piece of him, and the university doesn’t take it lightly. There will be some sanctions from the university. From an athletic department standpoint we’ll do some things. Hopefully, it’s a teaching moment and a learning experience for him.”
Zamora is still practicing with the team, according to reports. Grobe said, however, that his “playing status” will be impacted by the event.
The video was leaked to local TV station KXXV and had been shared on another football player’s Snapchat. It shows the dog yelping as he beats it with a belt. Then he curses, yells and kicks the animal. Zamora told the station that he went through training with a dog trainer afterward.
“I lost my temper trying to discipline him,’’ the athlete said in a statement.