In a startling occurrence, a man was taken into custody on Thursday after allegedly tying a dog to the back of his vehicle, dragging it for a mile, and then abandoning the seriously injured animal on the side of the road.
The Tampa Police Department (TPD) reports that after the horrifying incident, the suspect, 72-year-old Johnnie Davis, was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated animal cruelty.
The unsettling incident happened in Tampa on Wednesday night at approximately 9 p.m. on the 4200 block of West Kennedy Boulevard.
One of the witnesses spotted Davis driving a green Ford truck with a leashed dog in the rear. The witness notified the authorities right away, and when they arrived on the spot, they found the dog abandoned and seriously hurt.
The defendant dragged the dog behind the car for approximately a mile, causing the animal severe trauma, according to TPD officials.
When the truck turned sharply as it entered a bank parking lot, the dog tried to break free from the leash, according to surveillance footage detectives were able to collect.
After the dog managed to escape, Davis stopped the truck and went to use the ATM, leaving the dog alone. He took out cash and then drove off, leaving the dog badly hurt and left behind.
TPD officers found the dog right away and called Hillsborough County Animal Services, who came right away and took the animal to a local vet clinic for emergency treatment.
The dog eventually passed away from its wounds, despite their best attempts to save it.
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The suspect’s behavior was denounced by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, who called the abuse of the defenseless animal “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
Detectives gave the case top priority right away, and they put out great effort to find Davis as the suspect who caused the animal’s misery.
Davis was taken into jail at the Orient Road Jail after officers detained him at his residence after connecting him to the crime.
Aggravated animal cruelty is one of the allegations against Davis that emphasizes the seriousness of his behavior and the significant effect it had on the community.
The case is still under investigation and has been pursued by TPD officers.
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As Davis awaits additional court procedures, the community has expressed shock and anger over the dog’s cruel treatment and demanded that justice be done.
Additionally, this case serves as a reminder of the continued significance of animal welfare and the necessity of legislation and enforcement to prevent animal abuse.
Animal advocates and Tampa locals have voiced their disgust over the occurrence and their support for harsher punishments for animal abusers.
Discussions concerning animal rights and how the community may help ensure that such cruelty is not tolerated have been spurred by the story.
Source: Dog dies after suspect drags it behind truck for one mile on busy Tampa road: Police
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