Dog fatally dragged behind trailer
Seattle, WA (US)Incident Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
County: King
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Alleged: Mark Daniel Mossberger
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Three people may face charges after a dog dragged for miles behind their boat trailer had to be euthanized last weekend. The Lab-Shepherd mix was found nine hours after the people apparently realized what they had done, cut his leash and left him on the side of the road.
"They were aware that the dog was still alive. They did nothing. They went off to a tavern,"
said Susanne Beauregard, the director of Animal Services for the City of Lacey. "They did leave it there without making any provision for its suffering. And clearly, the dog was suffering" she said.
The incident began after at Millersylvania State Park, about 10 miles south of Olympia on May 6. Three people left the park during the early morning hours after a party where there had been alcohol. The dog had been tied to a boat trailer and was never untied.
A passerby found the dog alive and suffering from a series of gruesome injuries and the animal was euthanized at a nearby veterinary clinic.
Thurston County Sheriff's officers were able to identify the owner of the dog and say it was not the driver of the vehicle or the owner of the boat trailer.
Police have characterized the incident as "an act of cruelty by stupidity," and don't believe that the dog was intentionally dragged.
The Thurston County Prosecutor's Office will decide if charges should be filed.
Case UpdatesThe man charged in a case of animal cruelty in Thurston County told KIRO 7 it was an accident. Mark Mossberger said he is falsely accused. Mossberger said home video taken on May 6, 2006, will prove his innocence. It shows the 20-year-old Olympia man at a Cinco de Mayo poker party at Millersylvania State Park.
Mossberger tied a golden retriever-shepherd mix named 'Chewie' to a friend's boat trailer. More than 5 hours later, authorities said Mossberger's friend and that friend's girlfriend drove off, dragging the dog three miles down the road. Prosecutors said the couple cut the severely injured dog from its leash and took off. "He knew it was on there," said Mark Mossberger. "And he drove off, saw the dog and took off. I think that is disrespectful." Prosecutors said the dog suffered for 9 hours before he was discovered and put down.
Prosecutors filed animal cruelty charges against Mossberger. He did not show up for his first court appearance this week, but said an address mix-up is to blame. | Source: KIRO7 News - May 26, 2006
Update posted on May 26, 2006 - 9:24PM |
News of another cruelty case has incensed the Seattle-area community and beyond. A golden retriever or lab-German Shepherd mix named Chewie was tied to the back of a boat trailer and dragged for miles. When the mangled dog was finally cut loose from the trailer, he was abandoned by the side of the road. Chewie was left to suffer in agony for 9 hours before Art/Tony Hedgers found him close to death. Said Hedgers, ""Even as hurt as it was, it would lick your hand It was friendly. It would wag its tail when you spoke to it. I know he didn't deserve it."
Sometime later Chewie was euthanized, released from his misery, in an area animal hospital.
The two individuals responsible for this horrible crime were attending a Cinco de Mayo party in Millersylvania State Park. It was there that someone tied Chewie to the back of the trailer. The pair left the party in the early hours last Sunday morning and headed toward the Maytown Tavern. Chewie, with his skin peeled back exposed muscle and bone, was left to die in the parking lot. There was a trail of blood on the road between the two locations.
It's unclear who at the park tied Chewie, or why, and the driver and passenger of the vehicle have stated that they did not know Chewie was there. However, "The dog weighed about 50 pounds and should have been noticeable", said Susanne Beauregard, Lacey Animal Services director.
At least one count of first degree animal cruelty has been filed against Mark Daniel Mossberger, one of the people who dragged Chewie, the dog, to his death. More charges against Mossberger and/or others may be forthcoming.
Pasado's Safe Haven applauded the quick work of Debra Eurich the Thurston County Deputy Prosecutor who will be representing the State of Washington in this case. Ms. Eurich is well known as a savvy prosecutor who vigorously pursues convictions on cruelty cases. They hope that she can push for the stiffest sentence possible and not allow the defense to plea down to a lesser charge(s).
Pasado's Safe Haven asks for your continued support on this case. Pasado's will be in front of the Thurston County Superior Court building next Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 8:15 a.m. to be a peaceful presence. Mr. Mossberger is scheduled to be arraigned sometime after 9:00 a.m. at the same location.
If you would like to be one of the voices there to speak for Chewie on this important day, please join Pasado's Safe Haven at the courthouse at 8:15 a.m. or as close to this time as possible.
Pasado's Safe Haven will arrange carpools if you are interested in driving with them. Either way, please RSVP to let them know who is coming.
Arraignment Hearing
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:00 a.m. (we will be there at 8:15 a.m.)
If you wish to attend:
Carpools will leave promptly at 7:00 am.
If driving on your own:
Building Two, Thurston County Courthouse
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502-6045
(360) 786-5560
Remember, if you are interested in driving or riding in a carpool or plan to meet us in Olympia, please R.S.V.P at the Pasado's Safe Haven website. | Source: Pasado's Safe Haven
Update posted on May 21, 2006 - 11:36PM |
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