TROUTDALE, Ore. – Four people living in a Jeep with a small menagerie of animals were taken into custody after a dog tied to their vehicle was dragged through the a parking lot Monday night, police said.
Troutdale police were called to the Travel Centers of America truck stop after several witnesses stopped the Jeep. They said the dog had been dragged around 600 feet.
The dog, named "Rhino,” was bleeding heavily from his paws. Investigators said the dog tried to keep up with the vehicle, when it was going about 10 miles an hour.
"I was pretty shocked," witness Tanya Gonzales said. "I was like, 'am I really seeing this?' And when they finally stopped the dog was pretty injured."
A rabbit, two cats, and a python-type snake were also taken out of the suspects’ vehicle and seized by animal control.
Police arrested the owner of the dog, Launa Dickerson, 20, along with Allen Cook, 20, Nicholas Falkenhagen, 21, and Justin Rinde, 21 (pictured L-R). Police said they all told investigators that they had forgotten the dog was tied to the car.
The four pleaded not guilty to animal abuse in court Tuesday.
Rhino is part Pit bull and was purchased by Dickerson two weeks ago, off a Craigslist ad.
The dog was treated at a nearby veterinarian's office and then placed in the custody of the Multnomah County Animal Control, and was recovering Tuesday.
KGW Reporter Kyle Iboshi contributed to this report
