Dog dragged for more than 2 miles with truck Phoenix, AZ (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 6, 2003 County: Maricopa Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 2 files available Alleged: Matthew Sonnie Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 1661 Classification: Vehicular Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in AZ (US) Login to Watch this Case

With a piece of baling wire wrapped around her neck, an 18-month-old dog was dragged behind a pickup truck for more than two miles Wednesday as shocked commuters looked on. The 20-year-old driver did not stop driving until police pulled him over near 35th Avenue and Camelback Road during rush-hour. 
 
"(The dog) got caught up in the tires and run over a couple of times," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Lauri Williams.

"She was literally bouncing along the pavement behind him," added Kim Noetzel, spokeswoman for the Arizona Humane Society, which is caring for the dog.

Matthew Sonnie was cited and released on a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. Sonnie, who told police he is the dog's owner, could face jail time and fines, Williams said.

The dog, described by police as a pit bull and by the humane society as a Labrador-Chow mix, suffered numerous cuts and bruises over her body.

She also has trouble standing and has a deep gash around her neck from where the wire tore into her skin, Noetzel said.

"She ripped off a part of a toe and a toe nail," Noetzel said. "The pads of her feet are very cut up."

The dog also has a multitude of untreated puncture wounds, which appear to be a result of dog-fighting, Noetzel said.

"She has a lot of wounds that are not a result of this incident," Noetzel said. "We don't know if she is going to survive because of all the untreated wounds."

Witnesses told police they saw Sonnie driving north about 5 p.m. on an Interstate 17 access road with the dog in the bed of his pickup.

At one point, the dog jumped out, prompting Sonnie to stop the truck and place the dog back in the bed. Sonnie continued driving, but the dog jumped out again, witnesses told police.

This time, Sonnie wrapped a piece of baling wire around the dog's neck and wrapped the other end to a spare tire. When the dog jumped out of the truck a third time, Sonnie continued driving with the dog dangling behind, police said.

"Witnesses said he just kept driving and had no intention of pulling over until police stopped him," Noetzel said. "They indicated that he knew what he was doing."

Several witnesses dialed 911 when the truck was near Indian School Road and 23rd Avenue. Police caught up to the truck near Camelback Road and 35th Avenue, almost 2 1/2 miles away.

Sonnie told police he had no choice but to tie the dog because she refused to stay in the bed.

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