(October 2017) Alabama: John Denton, 59, arrested and charged with Animal Cruelty after police say he got drunk, drove into a creek and then abandoned his German Shepherd - which was trapped inside his van - to drown

ALABAMA -- On October 7, during Hurricane Nate, John Edward Denton drove his vehicle into a creek in Magnolia Springs with the windows down.

A witness said they had seen Denton drive to the boat ramp aruond 8pm, parked for about half an hour and let his dog out to run around.

Then Denton put his dog back in the van, rolled both windows down and drove straight into the water. A witness called 911 while the van filled with water.

When the Magnolia Springs Fire Department arrived, the van was completely underwater. Denton saved himself by swimming to shore.

Stuck inside the sinking vehicle was Denton’s German Shepard. The dog was not able to escape and drowned.

Denton told sheriff’s deputies that he drove in from Birmingham and decided “to check the tide” at the boat ramp. He said the last thing he remembered was "getting into the driver's seat".

Denton was arrested and charged with public intoxication and animal cruelty.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: John Edward Denton
Address Block: 500 E 1st St
Address City: Bay Minette, Alabama 36507
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthdate: 12/04/1957
Arrest Age: 59
Arrest Date: 10/08/2017
Arrest Time: 6:16 AM
Arresting Agency: BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
Location: Baldwin County, Alabama
Total Bond: $1500
Charges
#1 DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE - ALCOHOL
STATUTE: 32-5A-191(A)(2) (MISDEMEANOR)
BOND: $1000

#2 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
STATUTE: 13A-11-14 (MISDEMEANOR)
BOND: $500

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WKRG - Oct 9, 2017)