Rental Company’s Employment of Alleged Animal Abuser Brings Protest

Protesters demonstrated on Aug. 7 in front of a car-rental agency in Ontario, Calif. that employs a man charged with animal cruelty.

Local animal-rescue and advocacy groups protested Fox Rent-A-Car's continued employment of Shea William David Johnson, 22, of Victorville, Calif. Johnson has pleaded not guilty to five counts of animal cruelty.

Protestors carried signs condemning the alleged abuse.

Johnson is accused of killing an estimated 20 rabbits by hitting them and slamming them against a fence or wall outside the business, police and prosecutors said. The deputy district attorney in the case said Johnson has no prior criminal history.

Responding to a request for comment from ARN, a representative from Fox Rent-A-Car wrote in an e-mail, "Fox Rent A Car certainly does not condone animal cruelty and recognizes there are ongoing legal proceedings related to this event. Therefore, we will reserve comment until those proceedings are concluded."

Several rabbits could be seen hopping around the property on the day of the protest.