Puppy dragged behind vehicle, thrown off bridge
Peterman, AL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 25, 2008
County: Monroe
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Maurice Cunningham
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A 20-year-old man is accused of dragging a dog behind a reportedly stolen three-wheeler for at least a mile, and then tossing the puppy off a bridge into a creek, officials said.
According to Monroe County Sheriff Tom Tate, his department received a call Monday afternoon concerning a man dragging a dog behind an ATV in the vicinity of Old Peterman Highway. When deputies arrived they found the dog at the edge of Brushy Creek, with the rope still draped over the bridge, Tate said.
Witnesses told investigators the man had passed the store at Peterman at least three times with the dog behind the three-wheeler, and the dog appeared to be trying to stand up as he passed, Tate said.
Deputies arrested Maurice Cunningham, and Tate said through further investigation officials determined the three-wheeler Cunningham was allegedly dragging the dog behind was reported stolen from Vondell Clark's residence on County Road 42 in June.
"Once deputies placed Cunningham in the rear seat of a patrol car, he began kicking the windows and the door," Tate said. "He ended up kicking the rear window out of the car and bending the door from the inside, causing an estimated $824 damage to the vehicle."
The dog was taken to Monroeville veterinarian Dr. John Grider for treatment.
Grider said Tuesday morning the dog is six months to a year old and is a rottweiler mix.
"He's going to lose a lot of skin in several places, but we'll be able to patch him up and he should make a full recovery," Grider said. "People who will do this to a dog will also do it to a person."
Cunningham is charged with receiving stolen property and first-degree cruelty to an animal, both felonies, and criminal mischief for damaging the patrol car. His bond had not been set as of Tuesday afternoon.
Case UpdatesThe puppy dog without a name will survive but his recovery will not be pain free. Dr. John Grider is treating the puppy at his Monroeville clinic.
"He's still hurting. He's on medication now," said Grider.
As terrible as his wounds look today they're nothing compared to what the photographs showed the day after he was dragged. The animal suffered severe abrasions.
"He'll have scars," said Grider.
Monroe County detectives say 20-year old Maurice Cunningham is responsible. They charged Cunningham with animal cruelty and receiving stolen property, the 3-wheeler Cunningham allegedly used to drag the dog about a half-mile through the Peterman community and later dumped him in Brushy Creek.
An eyewitness account from Betty Rankins.
"I saw the man. He was pulling the dog and coming down the road wide open. He had a rope around his neck and it was obvious the dog couldn't stand up," Rankins said.
Maurice Cunningham is still in the county jail and WSFA 12 News was unable to reach his family to get their side of the story. The motive? Still not clear. Sarah Dyess is the President of the Monroe County Humane Society.
"I can't imagine why he would do this," said Dyess.
When investigators arrived they found the dog on the edge of Brushy Creek and the rope dangling from the bridge.
"Fortunately, he was able to swim out," said Dyess.
There is conflicting information over whether the dog is someone's pet or a stray. We do know the puppy is a Rotweiller mix, 8 months old and still hurting.
"He lost his pads," said Grider.
Dr. Grider guesses the dog has about two months to go before he's completely healed.
Cunningham's bond has been set at more than $100,000 and he could get 10 years in prison if he's convicted on the cruelty charges.
Investigators also charged the suspect with damaging the patrol car he was sitting in after his arrest at the scene. Authorities say he knocked out the back window and caused more than $800 worth of damage.
No decision has been made whether to allow the dog to be adopted out. | Source: WFSA - Sept 4, 2008
Update posted on Sep 6, 2008 - 3:08PM |
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