Dog dragged behind pick-up truck
Athens, TN (US)Incident Date: Monday, Apr 6, 2009
County: McMinn
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: William Jacobs
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A criminal summons has been issued for an Athens man who allegedly dragged his dog behind his car last month.
McMinn County Sheriff's Department personnel have confirmed a criminal summons for animal cruelty has been served on Billy Jacobs, of Athens, on Monday. He now has 10 days to turn himself in at the Justice Center to be assigned a court date in General Sessions Court.
Jacobs is accused of dragging a pit bull, Boss, who had been adopted from Break the Chain Pit Bull Rescue of Lenoir City. When Jacobs allegedly missed some follow-up visits, Jimmy Woody, who runs the dog rescue along with his wife, began trying to contact Jacobs. When Woody finally made contact, he learned Boss had been tied to the back of Jacobs' vehicle and dragged for more than a mile. The dog suffered extensive wounds.
By the time the Woodys learned what had happened to Boss, 18 days had passed. Jacobs allegedly had not taken Boss to see a veterinarian after the accident and was treating the dog at home.
A report was filed April 6 with the McMinn County Sheriff's Department.
Jacobs said this morning he did not want to comment on the incident. Leslie Woody said since the initial news reports about Boss, they have had unbelievable support.
Woody said Boss had surgery last week on his shoulder and had several staples put in to mend his wounds. She added he could need additional surgery but the dog is gaining weight and recovering.
"He is in good spirits and healing well," Leslie Woody said. "He is a very good dog."
Woody said veterinarian expenses for Boss are $1,000 so far at the Lenoir City Animal Clinic. She said Jacobs currently has paid $500 on the bill.
Woody said they would not have pushed the issue with Boss had Jacobs taken the dog to a vet immediately after the accident occurred. However, she added the dog suffered for 18 days before they recovered him.
"We just want justice for Boss," Woody said. "He needs a special, loving home."
Woody said prior to the incident involving Boss, Break the Chain Pit Bull Rescue had planned an Animal Cruelty Awareness Day on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lenoir City Park.
Case UpdatesBilly Jacobs of McMinn county, who faces charges of animal cruelty will tell his side of the story in court on June 5th.
An animal rights group says it fears the case may be swept under the rug, and they have pledged to do everything they can to keep that from happening.
The court will decide if the owner was cruel or just negligent.
But regardless of how it happened, Boss, the pit bull has had a rough life. He was dragged almost a mile behind a pickup a few weeks ago.
LESLIE WOODY, PRES. BREAK THE CHAIN "He was drug three weeks prior to us bringing him in to the vet after seizing him from Mr. Jacobs' home..uh..the injuries were at least three weeks old."
After surgery, 45 stitches, and lots of T-L-C, Boss looks much better.
But he'll have the scars for the rest of his life.
He waited in an SUV while member's of the Break The Chain Pit Bull Recovery group were in the court this morning.
Twenty three year old William "Billy" Jacobs was there.
And according to his attorney, ready to present his case. Burt prosecutors asked that it be moved to June 5th.
MATT ROGERS, JACOBS' ATTORNEY "A preliminary hearing for probably cause..unless we waive a jury trial..we'll try it on the merits in front of a judge."
LESLIE WOODY, PRES. BREAK THE CHAIN "We just want justice for "boss" and we want justice for the other dogs that have been abused and neglected."
Animal rights advocates and pet owners showed up despite a light drizzle, to walk their dogs around the McMinn county court house to show their support. One of them had a brand new puppy.
DEBBIE OSBORNE, KNOXVILLE NURSE "This pup is part pit and last Thursday, someone put her in my car while I was at the ATM..so they get them and they don't know what to do with them."
LESLIE WOODY "This county needs an animal control officer and a shelter countywide."
Boss, the pit bull, had been adopted by William Jacobs from the "Break The Chain" Rescue group just 4 weeks before he was seized and taken to the vet for treatment | Source: WDEF - May 8, 2009
Update posted on May 8, 2009 - 11:31PM |
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