safety
Man in custody after dog attack led to boy's drowning in Kern County, police say
By Danielle Smith at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
A man was taken into custody in connection with a dog attack that led to the drowning of a 12-year-old boy in Kern County, police said Thursday.
The California City Police Department said Kenneth Dobbins was taken into custody on Thursday after receiving a tip from someone who spotted him in L...
Key takeaway The California City Police Department said Kenneth Dobbins was taken into custody on Thursday after receiving a tip from someone who spotted him in Lancaster just before 1 p.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The arrest of Kenneth Dobbins brings some measure of accountability to a tragic incident that has shaken the community in California City. As the investigation continues, residents will be watching to see how the city and county respond to concerns about public safety and animal control. The fact that Dobbins was able to leave the area after initially being contacted by police raises questions about the effectiveness of the initial response. The seizure of one of his dogs in Los Angeles County also highlights the need for coordinated efforts between local law enforcement agencies to address issues that can have devastating consequences. The community will be looking for answers about what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, particularly in public spaces like Central Park where families and children are often present.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A man was taken into custody in connection with a dog attack that led to the drowning of a 12-year-old boy in Kern County, police said Thursday.
The California City Police Department said Kenneth Dobbins was taken into custody on Thursday after receiving a tip from someone who spotted him in L...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Danielle Smith at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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