The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection to an animal abuse case. SBCSO reports that its deputies have arrested the juvenile for the June 16 animal abuse case in which chickens were beaten to death.

Around 2:37 p.m. on June 26, 2024, a community member spotted the suspect on El Greco near Embarcardero Del Mar. They called the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the area and took the suspect into custody.

Deputies developed evidence that the juvenile was the suspect in the case. SBCSO says the suspect was later released to his guardian. The case will be referred to the juvenile courts.