SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) – The owner of a dog that was dragged behind a vehicle Wednesday in San Diego County has been identified.

The driver of the dog, who was not identified, reached out to County Animal Services after seeing video coverage of the July 2 incident on TV. He admitted to being the dog’s owner and the driver of the truck, according to authorities with the County of San Diego.

Animal Control Officers met with the driver at his home. There, they learned the dog had already been euthanized.

Animal control officers gathered the dog’s remains for the investigation before it was cremated.

San Diego officials did not share further details on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether or not the driver had knowingly dragged the dog behind the car.

“I hope he is put away for a very very long time,” one California resident wrote on Facebook.

“He needs to be charged. This is beyond pathetic behavior to a helpless animal,” another said.

Charges are indeed being filed against the driver, officials confirmed.

“This is an incredibly sad and disturbing case,” Vaughn Maurice, the director of County Animal Services, said in a statement shared with San Diego County’s communication’s service. “While we are grateful to have identified the person responsible, our hearts break for this dog and what it endured.”