The dog turned out to be alive, but suffered scrapes and bruises, according to animal control.
Michael Thomas, 38, of the 200 block of Madison Avenue in Alton, was charged with one count of animal cruelty. Officials said he had been booked and released from the Madison County Jail.
Alton Public Works Director Brad Cunningham said Tuesday that police started receiving calls about a puppy being mistreated around 3:15 p.m. Saturday in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and East 20th Street.
"Some of the callers were frantic and yelling that the man was killing the dog," Cunningham said. "The dog apparently was completely limp while it was being dragged."
Haley, a white 3-month-old husky mix, had abrasions on her front legs and various bruises on her belly and back legs. Animal Control Officer Steve Bosaw also said in his report that the puppy appeared to be dehydrated.
Jackie Spiker, cofounder of Hope Animal Rescues, which takes in abused animals in the Alton area, said Thomas had owned the dog approximately two weeks.
She said Haley has been placed with a foster family through Hope Animal Rescues while bruises from the incident continue to heal.
Cunningham said animal control has received several calls from residents inquiring about the puppy's condition.
"It's shocking," he said. "Probably the same shock to the community that St. Louis had when they tied the dog to the truck."
In that case, 41-year-old Benetta Johnson of St. Louis eventually was charged with animal abuse.
(STLtoday.com - April 2, 2013)
