In this episode of Keep it Humane: The Podcast, we take a hard look at the viral Beaumont, California video showing an animal control officer roughly handling a dog.

The incident didn’t just spark outrage online—it reinforced the very “dog catcher” stereotype that professionals have worked for decades to move beyond. Daniel, Ashley, and Ashlee unpack why this kind of behavior sets the entire field back, eroding community trust and undermining the compassion that should define animal control.

Together, they discuss:

• What we know about the Beaumont case and the city’s official response.

• How one officer’s actions can fuel damaging stereotypes.

• The ripple effect of viral footage on public trust in animal welfare.

• What true professional, humane handling looks like—and how agencies can hold their teams accountable.

This isn’t just about one dog, one officer, or one city. It’s about what happens when animal control strays from care and compassion—and how the profession must demand better.

Listen in as Daniel, Ashley, and Ashlee confront the behavior that set this controversy in motion and call for a higher standard in animal welfare.