At approximately 5 o'clock PM April 21, George Jaworowsky (age 46) allegedly tried walking his dogs with his bicycle, but they kept stopping and refused to keep up. Pinellas sheriff's officials say that was when he went home to get his car.
He allegedly rolled the window down, held the leashes out and proceeded to drag his two red-nosed American pit bullterriers for two blocks down the street, sheriff's spokesman Detective Tim Goodman said.
"There was blood on the roadway," Goodman said. "The dogs kept falling and were rolling on the gravel road."
One of the dogs, a male named Bruno, had the pads on its feet worn down to the bone. Jaworowsky was charged with one felony count of animal cruelty.
A witness stated he saw Jaworowsky holding the leashes for the two dogs out the driver's window of his white Ford Taurus as he drove on Robinwood Lane and Regal Oaks Boulevard.
"The person saw George get out of the car," Goodman said. "George was yelling at the dogs and he used his right hand to strike one of the dogs. He was cursing at the dogs. The (witness) heard the dogs yelp."
The witness told Jaworowsky that "the dogs looked tired and beaten," Goodman said. But Jaworowsky got back in his car and drove off, still dragging the dogs from the window.
The deputy who responded to the scene followed the trail of bloody paw prints and pieces of brown fur into the garage at 2872 Spring Oak Court, Jaworowsky's home.
"He got to the garage and he noticed bloody paw prints on the garage floor, and a bloody white and black dog leash lying on the ground," Goodman said.
Bruno and Susie, approximately 6 months old, were found inside the garage in a metal cage. Bruno's paws were wrapped in duct tape to the middle of his legs. The dog tried to stand but could not and was lying on its side because the pads on its feet were so badly injured. Susie was not injured.
Both were taken to Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service on Belcher Road. The dogs were then turned over to the Humane Society of North Pinellas.
"Bruno's in a lot of pain," said Rick Chaboudy, director of the Humane Society of North Pinellas. "Pain management is one of the biggest things right now, and, of course, concern with infection."
Jaworowsky, who was released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting $5,000 bail.Monday afternoon. Goodman said Jaworowsky told deputies he was "attempting to train the dogs, but he says he was wrong for what he did."
"When (deputies) interviewed George, they asked him if he ever stopped and hit the dogs," Goodman said. "He said he did and that it was a form of discipline. He said he was doing it to get the dogs in shape."
Chaboudy said the shelter has since discovered Bruno was involved in a previous dragging incident with a family member on inline skates.
"That type of thing is very dangerous," he said. "Sometimes people run their dogs on bicycles and Rollerblades. In many ways it can be dangerous to the person. I cannot possibly even imagine how people think some of these types of things like running a dog along a car is actually okay."
Case Number 03-06776 CF ANO
Division K
The Honorable Philip J. Federico
Chamber 2
14250 49th St. North
Clearwater, FL 33762
727.464.7457
State Attorney
Bernie McCabe
P.O. Box 5028
Clearwater, FL 33758
727-464-6221 Case Updates| Jaworowsky recieved Pre-Trial Intervention on July 8, 2004. If he completes his probation requirements, he does not have to plead guilty and the case will be closed or dismissed. | | Update posted on Oct 19, 2004 - 3:16PM |
This case has a court date scheduled for:
Pinellas Court House FL
JUNE 10TH 8:30 AM
COURT ROOM K
6th Judicial district | | Update posted on Mar 16, 2004 - 5:37PM |
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