GREENVILLE, SC — A man who dragged a dog for two miles behind his truck in Greenville, South Carolina will spend more than a decade in prison. Roger Owens tied the dog’s front legs to his truck and took off in December. He admitted in court Tuesday that he accepted drugs and alcohol in exchange for getting rid of the dog. Now, animal rights activists are calling for tougher punishments.
“I hope it sends a message to future animal abusers. I also hope it sends a message to our judicial system that it shouldn’t be tolerated,” said Cynthia Saracino of Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation.
The judge sentenced Owens to the maximum five years for animal cruelty, five more for being a habitual felon, and six months for DUI. The dog had serious injuries, but survived.
