Police: Man Dragged Dog Alongside Van

WARREN (WWJ) - A Warren man is expected to face animal cruelty and drunken driving charges after allegedly dragging his small dog alongside his van.

Warren Deputy Police Commissioner Louis Galasso said the man was driving very fast and the dog couldn't keep up.

"It was quite the heartless, mindless act," Galasso told WWJ Newsradio 950. "When asked about it, first he denied doing it at all. And then, when confronted with the evidence, he stated that his dog loves to run and he felt that that was a good way to exercise his animal."

The 43-year-old man, who police said was acting "out of sorts," refused a Breathalyzer. They had him taken to the hospital to have his blood drawn instead and are awaiting the results.

"Cricket," a terrier mix, reportedly suffered a bloodied paw but did not appear seriously injured.  The dog will be taken to the Macomb County Animal Shelter.

"One of the conditions of the defendant's bond was that he not have any contact with animals," said Galasso. "We attempted to have the owner sign off ownership, and we just have a plethora of people who are interested in adopting. However, he refused to do so."

The man's name has not been released.