Owner caught breaking into Hollister shelter to free dog

A Hollister man was caught breaking into an animal shelter in an attempt to free his dog.

According to Hollister Police, on May 5, a concerned woman found a dog running loose so she took it to the Hollister Police Animal Care and Services Shelter.

The woman posted a picture of the dog on social media to see if anyone was looking for their lost dog.

“Later that same day, video surveillance at the Animal Shelter captured a man and a woman arriving and leaving soon after. The same man later returned and used tools to break into the kennel and removed the dog,” said Lt. Eric Olson.

51-year-old Cecil Chalfant was identified as the man in the surveillance video. Chalfant told police he was the dogs owner. He said he saw the social media post and drove to the shelter where he found his dog locked in a kennel.

Chalfant didn’t attempt to call police or anyone at the shelter. He was cited and released for burglary and issued a citation for having a dog running loose. His case has been referred to the District Attorney’s Office.