PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — A 27-year-old Florida woman was arrested Friday and charged with animal cruelty after allegedly tying a dog to a vehicle, forgetting it was attached and driving away, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the dog suffered multiple deep open wounds and severe trauma to its paws and shoulder.
Due to the extent of the injuries, a veterinarian recommended euthanasia as the most humane course of action.
A Good Samaritan flagged down the driver, identified by authorities as Wendy Pena, after noticing the dog tied to the vehicle. Pena stopped and exited her car.
The bystander told deputies that Pena appeared remorseful but said she could not transport the dog to a veterinarian because she needed to pick up her children.
The Good Samaritan then took possession of the injured animal and drove it to a veterinary office.
Putnam County Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach addressed the animal cruelty charge in a statement following the arrest.
“Dog ownership comes with a series of responsibilities for the care of an animal,” DeLoach said. “I cannot imagine the horror this poor animal felt as its body scraped the roadway and it had no way to escape the torture being inflicted. The owner made a choice to tie the dog to a vehicle that could be moved instead of properly securing the dog somewhere safer. Forgetting you have a living, breathing soul attached to a vehicle when you leave because you are distracted is not an excuse. Then to leave that animal to suffer and have another person take care of your mistake is reprehensible.”
Following the investigation, Pena was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail.
She was later released after posting a $10,000 bond.
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