Ha Ha! Funny Story!

Cruelty charge filed after dog is dragged

David J. CieslakThe Arizona RepublicAug. 2, 2004 12:00 AM

Police arrested a man on suspicion of animal cruelty Sunday after he and his wife found their runaway dog in a west Phoenix neighborhood, then tied the animal by its neck to the back of a pickup truck and dragged it nearly a mile.

Herminio Velasquez, 32, told officers he tied the 2-year-old female chow to the truck because he didn't want to place the dog inside the pickup and risk getting his clothes dirty before attending church, investigators said. Witnesses called 911 about 4:30 p.m. after spotting the dog trying to keep up with the truck near Glendale and 43rd avenues, Phoenix police Sgt. Jantra Palmer said.Velasquez told investigators that he believed the dog was running behind the pickup while his wife drove about 10 mph. At one point, Velasquez could not see the chow at the end of the rope and realized it was being dragged, prompting him to get out of the truck and walk the dog home, Palmer said.

A trail of blood spanning about 500 yards was spotted along the path where the animal was dragged, she said.The chow's pads were ripped from its paws and most of the dog's nails were shattered, Arizona Humane Society spokeswoman Kim Noetzel said.

Veterinarians were treating the dog late Sunday, and Noetzel said she believed it would survive.The Humane Society will take custody of the dog pending a disposition of the case in court, Noetzel said.

Velasquez was booked into a Maricopa County jail on one count of felony animal cruelty. Authorities also planned to arrest his wife, who went to church with the couple's children and remained there Sunday evening, Palmer said.