Cruelty Charge May Await Driver Whose Dog Was Dragged Along Car

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A man arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after his dog jumped out of the window and was dragged a half-mile by her leash could also face animal cruelty charges.

Though the driver did not intentionally hurt his dog, officers with Animal Control and the California Highway Patrol feel his intoxication prevented him from ensuring the dog's safety and subjected the animal to "needless suffering" — the legal standard for an animal cruelty charge in California, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter said. They will ask the Santa Cruz County DA's Office to file animal cruelty charges in addition to the DUI charge.

The driver was arrested Friday after witnesses saw his small Schnauzer jump out of the window on a rural Watsonville road, become entangled in her leash, and get dragged along the side of a car for a half-mile before rolling to the side of the road, the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter said. The witnesses stayed with the dog until an animal control officer arrived to hospitalize her.

The officer checked her microchip and arranged to meet with her owner at the hospital. There, the animal control officer concluded the driver was likely intoxicated and called on CHP to investigate. CHP arrested the man.

His wife, who was at home, was called to pick up the dog instead. The Schnauzer is healing at home, the animal shetler said.

The animal control officer determined the dog would be safe with her. The shelter would not have returned the dog to the owner's home if officers felt the act was intentional, the animal shelter said.