Sunday September 21, 2008, 4:51 pm
Brewton - Escambia County officials said they want help finding several men who dragged a pit bull for more than a mile along Alabama 113 Tuesday before leaving the dog in the middle of the highway.

Dozens of construction workers witnessed the incident that led to the bleeding, badly injured dog being euthanized, according to Renee Jones, a local Humane Society director who serves as the county's animal cruelty investigator.

Witnesses reported seeing an object being dragged behind a pickup truck at about 6 p.m., Jones said. Construction crews working on the expansion of Alabama 113 in Flomaton soon realized that the object was a dog.

Workers described the pickup as a black, four-door late-model version, with a second pit bull terrier in its rear bed, Jones said. A white SUV and a red car were traveling with the truck, Jones said.

Jones said the workers reported that the truck stopped, as did the SUV and the red car. Several men emerged from the SUV and the car, walked up to the dog and cut the rope linked to the truck, according to the workers. The men got back in their vehicles and drove around the dog, continuing on Alabama 113 toward Interstate 65.

Jones said that the workers watched as the dog struggled to its feet and staggered to the edge of the road where it collapsed.

When Jones arrived on the scene, she said, she found an emaciated, crop-eared, male pit bull covered in wounds and blood. The dog was conscious and sweet-tempered, even though he was in extreme pain, she said.

Construction crew members had disentangled the dog from the rope and were standing by waiting for help to arrive.

The dog was rushed to an Atmore animal clinic, and had to be euthanized there.

The Humane Society is housing two other pit bulls that were found recently as strays. She said that both have scarring along the back indicative of a dragging injury, she said.

Jones said a reward for information regarding the identity of the drivers of the vehicles is expected. Anyone who has information about this or any other crime of cruelty to animals is asked to call the Humane Society of Escambia County at 251-867-6860.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 4:51 pm
This is NOT a picture of the actual dog.

Sunday September 21, 2008, 4:56 pm
From the sounds of it this isn't the first time these 'men' did this. What monsters! In this case, I think they need a taste of how it feels to suffer in this way, am sure THAT would stop them from doing it again. I am so angry by this! Thanks Kristi.

Tuesday September 23, 2008, 2:09 pm
They should be treated the same as if it were a human being! Large fines and long jail time.

Wednesday September 24, 2008, 9:07 am
I think that the people that did this despicable thing to an animal deserve life imprisonment and no less. Noted. Thanks Kristi.