HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – UPDATE: According to online records, David Joseph Liguori will appear in Harrisonburg-Rockingham County General District Court next Tuesday (May 13) for a hearing regarding three counts that include animal cruelty and hit-and-run.

The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) arrested David Joseph Liguori, 35, of Harrisonburg in connection to an animal cruelty case and a hit-and-run.

According to a press release, on April 18th, HPD officers responded to Lowe’s on Linda Lane for a hit-and-run that had just occurred. On April 19th, HPD was made aware of a social media post detailing an act of animal cruelty that was associated with the same incident.

Officers made contact with the author of the social media post who observed a male striking a dog inside a parked pick-up truck. Witnesses then attempted to intervene, and the driver fled the parking lot, striking another vehicle as he left.

Because of tips from the public and investigative work from HPD Animal Control, Liguori was identified as the suspect. He was taken into custody without incident on the morning of May 7, 2025.

Liguori is being charged with 3.2-6570 Cruelty to Animals, 46.2-896 Hit and Run and Harrisonburg City Ordinance 15-2-5 Confinement of Animals in Vehicle Prohibited

In accordance with VA Code § 3.2-6569, Harrisonburg’s Animal Care and Control took possession of the dog, Ralphie, who was then taken to the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA where he is awaiting evaluation from a veterinarian.