Parolee Witnessed Drowning Dog in Fairfield Civic Center Pond Monday Morning

By Fairfield Police Department

On August 12, 2013, at 10:15 AM, the Fairfield Police Department received several calls reporting a man deliberately drowning a dog in the Civic Center pond, 1000 Kentucky Street. 

The tragic event was witnessed by numerous people in City Hall and throughout the Civic Center complex.  Fire Department personnel from a close by fire station saw the man carry a medium size dog out into the pond and begin dunking the dog into the water and holding it under.  

The dog was described as a brown female pit bull terrier with a chain around the neck. The male suspect repeatedly pushed the dog under water until it failed to surface.  

Officers arrived and located the man identified as Bryan Cavanah, 21 years, of Fairfield. Cavanah admitted drowning the dog and said he did not know why he did it. The dog belonged to Cavanah’s father. Cavanah is on probation through Solano County for assault with a deadly weapon.

Officers confirmed with several witnesses that the dog was still in the pond.  Two officers entered the pond using a small boat from the Public Works department.  The remains of the dog were located and recovered by officers.  

Cavanah was arrested for felony cruelty to an animal and violation of probation and was booked into the Solano County jail and is being held without bail.