Pleasanton dog trainer charged after shooting man over alleged dog … Joshua Kaplan, a dog trainer in Pleasanton, has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot 71-year-old Mark Webster on the 3600 block of Vineyard Avenue Saturday around 3 p.m.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office filed the charge following an arrest by the Pleasanton Police Department, prosecutors said; the shooting came after allegations involving a dog, which was taken to the East County Animal Shelter. Pet owners who suspect animal abuse or neglect are encouraged to report incidents to their local animal control agency or law enforcement, highlighting the seriousness of these allegations.

The Pleasanton Police Department arrested Kaplan on July 26, 2025, after officers responded to the Vineyard Avenue neighborhood. According to police reports, Kaplan fired at least six times total, not just twice. Webster was struck in the face initially, then struck a second time after retrieving his shotgun. The complexities surrounding situations like this underscore the serious nature of the allegations.

Webster sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, where officials later described his condition as stable. Medical authorities and investigators have continued to treat the case as an active criminal matter while the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office moved to charge the suspect. In particular, investigators detailed how Kaplan’s actions transitioned from allegations of animal abuse to a violent confrontation.

The dog at the center of the allegations was removed from the scene and transferred to the East County Animal Shelter, the agency listed in the charging documents as the custodial recipient of the animal. Shelter staff will retain custody while law enforcement and prosecutors proceed, officials said.

Prosecutors set a court appearance for Kaplan on August 7, 2025, at 9 a.m., according to the charging paperwork. The attempted murder charge comes after investigators established the sequence of events they say began with the allegations of abuse and ended when Kaplan opened fire in the afternoon encounter. As the case progresses, the implications of handling suspected animal abuse remain a focal point.

Investigators described the shooting sequence in the arrest report: Kaplan fired at least six times, first striking the victim in the face and later again with additional gunfire. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the investigation before filing the attempted murder charge.

The Pleasanton Police Department handled the arrest on July 26, 2025, and turned the case file over to the district attorney for charging decisions. The DA’s filing formalizes the allegation of intent to kill and schedules the next court step in early August.

Neighbors and others in the Vineyard Avenue area were alerted when officers arrived at the scene around the reported 3 p.m. time frame; law enforcement activity and an ensuing investigation closed off portions of the block while detectives processed the scene. With the animal shelter caring for the dog while the criminal process unfolds, this case highlights the intersection of animal welfare and criminal justice.

The case combines allegations of animal mistreatment with a violent confrontation that resulted in serious injury and criminal charges. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the matter and the East County Animal Shelter is caring for the dog while the criminal process unfolds.

Kaplan is being held in Santa Rita Jail on $500,000 bail, pending the August court appearance, where prosecutors will present the charge of attempted murder. The Pleasanton Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office will proceed through the standard court process beginning with the scheduled hearing on August 7, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.