According to court documents filed by Kline Township Police, 28-year-old Bryan Martin Batista contacted police on August 12, 2026, to report that his former girlfriend had taken his dogs from his residence on Third Street.
Batista allegedly told police that the woman kicked down an interior door that he had padlocked to keep the dogs inside. When an officer arrived, Batista reportedly showed police the entrance to the attic where the dogs had been kept but could not provide proof that he owned them.
Police initially advised Batista that the ownership dispute was a civil matter.
The woman later told police that she removed the dogs from the residence on August 10 because she believed they were being mistreated. She alleged that the dogs were locked in the attic for extended periods without ventilation, food or water and were covered in their own urine and feces when she removed them.
According to the affidavit, the woman also provided veterinary documentation for one of the dogs.
She further alleged that she had previously found the male dog limping and that Batista admitted kicking the animal. The dog reportedly continued to limp for approximately three weeks.
On August 18, Batista allegedly provided police with two bills of sale in an attempt to establish ownership of the dogs. Police said the documents were dated February 12, 2022, and October 2, 2025, and both listed the Third Street address.
However, Batista had reportedly told police that he did not move to Kline Township until July 1, 2026. Batista’s brother also allegedly told police that a bill of sale had been produced within the previous week in an attempt to retrieve the dogs.
While investigating the complaint, police discovered that Batista had an outstanding warrant from Columbia County. Officers arranged for Batista to come to the Kline Township Police Station, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Police allege Batista drove a Chevrolet Silverado to the station despite never having a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
Batista is charged with two misdemeanor counts of unsworn falsification to authorities involving forged or altered documents, two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and one summary count of driving without a license.
Bail was set at $10,000 with a 10% requirement. Court records show a private surety posted $1,000 on August 21.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2026, before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.