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Cruelty charge filed after dog is dragged
David J. Cieslak
The Arizona Republic Aug. 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. Print This | Email This | Most Popular | Subscribe | Larger Type | Smaller Type News Headlines • Photo radar on Loop 101 draws praise • Lawmakers may revisit jury duty law • Walkers remind parents about 1st day of school • Cruelty charge filed after dog is dragged • Epic energy tale nears end as transformer arrives in Valley • Troubles dogging polygamy prophet • Riding buses easier with on-board info • Voter campaign targeting Latinos • Gordon opposes aerial spraying • Beer and Brats • Florence chosen as site of next Anthem • Suit accuses polygamist of sex abuse, cover-up • Grand Canyon visits climbing • Workers at offices sweating in Valley • Arizona Midday, August 2nd azcentral.com - News • Sports • Money • Entertainment • Style • Travel • Health • Food & Home • Shop The Arizona Republic - Front Page • News • Local • Sports • Arizona Living • Opinions • Jobs • autos • business • CareerBuilder • personals • real estate • rentals • services • stuff • 12 news video • contact 12 • weather • obituaries • lottery • jobs at 12 • about 12 12 news main | news | 12 news today | weather | sports | about 12 | community | what's on 12 site map | azcentral |
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