Man Dragged Dog Behind Truck For 1 Mile: Tampa Police

TAMPA, FL — A man was charged with aggravated animal cruelty that resulted in the death of a pet after he drove a truck dragging a dog that was tied to it for a mile, according to a Tampa Police Department news release.

A waitress saw the man, later identified as Johnnie Davis, 72, on Wednesday driving a truck with a dog tied to the back of it by a leash in the 4200 block of W. Kennedy Boulevard.

Officers who responded to the scene “found the dog with evidence of severe trauma,” police said.

Surveillance video showed that the dog came loose from the leash because of the force of a turn into a bank parking lot.

Once parked, Davis used the ATM and drove away, leaving the severely injured dog behind, police said.

Hillsborough County Animal Services arrived on the scene and transported the dog to a veterinary facility for emergency treatment, where it later died due to its injuries.

Davis was identified as the person responsible for “this cruel act,” police said.

He was arrested Thursday at his home and brought to Orient Road Jail.

“The cruelty inflicted on this helpless animal is both heartbreaking and unacceptable," Chief Lee Bercaw said. "Our officers acted swiftly to ensure this criminal was identified and taken into custody. We will continue to seek justice for innocent lives and hold those responsible accountable."