Merced prosecutors seek additional evidence in fatal dog-beating case

Merced prosecutors this week asked for additional evidence from police investigators in the case against a father and son accused of beating a neighbor’s dog earlier this month.

Tony Clendenin, 52, and son Samuel Clendenin, 24, were arrested Jan. 16 on suspicion of animal cruelty and conspiracy in connection with the beating death of their neighbor’s German shepherd. They posted bail and were released a few hours later, according to Merced County Jail booking records.

The Clendenins, who had not been formally charged as of Thursday, have claimed they were defending themselves from the animal, the Merced Police Department reported previously.

The incident, which occurred in the 1500 block of Massasso Court, was captured on a surveillance camera owned by the family that owned the dog, police said.

Prosecutors with the Merced County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday said they were seeking a full-length copy of the surveillance footage, as well as additional documents and other unspecified evidence.

“We immediately reviewed the case when we received it and are seeking those items before making any filing decisions,” said Steve Slocum, the supervising deputy district attorney who reviewed the case.

Investigators have said the Clendenins killed the dog “maliciously and intentionally.” Police characterized statements from the father and son as inconsistent and conflicting.

In an interview with ABC 30, Samuel Clendenin said the dog came into his backyard and lunged at him.

The owners of the dog, who have been identified by police as the Saeturn family, told the Fresno news station that the dog was baited and attacked. Samuel Clendenin said he stood on top of the dog, trying to gain control. During the television interview, Samuel Clendenin said he feared the dog would charge if he removed his foot, and his father used a baseball bat on the animal.

Both families have refused subsequent requests for interviews.

Merced police on Thursday confirmed that the two families have a history of relatively minor disputes dating to 2009.

“We’ve had about one or two calls per year since that time from each party for things like disturbing the peace,” Lt. Andre Matthews told the Sun-Star.

Matthews said none of the previous calls for service required any arrests or criminal investigations.

This story was originally published January 29, 2015 at 5:37 PM with the headline "Merced prosecutors seek additional evidence in fatal dog-beating case."