A Tradgic news story

[tilerspop]

On my way into work this AM I heard this news story. While it is more than tradgic, at least it was good for our breed.

Apparently this past weekend a woman was camping near Green Mtn. lake. She tied her Rott to the back of a pick up to help keep away raccoons and other assorted undesirables. She had told the owner of the truck that the dog was there twice and recieved acknowledgement. At about 3AM the she awoke to watch the pick up speed away with her dog still tied on behind. The man in the truck dragged the dog for 17 miles before detaching the dead dog at a 7-11 in Silverthorne.

Personally, I think the dog owner was foolish and to tie her dog to a strangers truck. That said, If I caught the truck owner I would be tempted to see how fast he could run tied behind my truck for 17 miles. The police are looking for the guy.

The good part of the story was at the end where the announcer put in a little from the dog owner. He said the dog was calm and very well mannered, had served the owner well and was loved by its family etc.. While it was tradgic, it was nice to here someone say nice things about a rottie in the media.

I would like to offer my condolences to the dog and its owner, and my heartfelt disgust and rage to the truck owner

[Judi W]

Too bad the owner did not serve the dog well. The story does not ring true anyway. Why would you tie your dog to someone else's vehicle in order to keep varmits away from their stuff? If the dog was to protect from varmits you'd be protecting your own stuff.

[godfreyc]

I agree Judi something isn't right in that story.

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Another radio station is now saying that the truck owner was an aquaintence and the two were sharing a camp site, but they leave the impression that they were not "together". They are also saying that the local animal control are not sure they are going to press charges.

The story is being reported on the regular radio stations as well as the talkies, I don't know about TV.

[H-B]

Dog tied to car dragged 17 miles; charges weighed
By Libby Kaiser, Rocky Mountain News


Summit County officials are to decide today whether to cite an Evergreen man accused of killing a dog by driving 17 miles with the animal tied to his Jeep.

The 1 ½-year-old Rottweiler, Misha, belonged to Alex Jaeckel of Evergreen, who last saw it alive looking back at her as the truck left a campsite near Green Mountain Reservoir.

"I saw him pulling out and I just didn't run fast enough," Jaeckel said.

Jaeckel, 48, said she was camping last week with a group that included a man who was a former member of her billiards team.

Jaeckel said she tied the dog to the door of the man's vehicle, thinking the animal would scare off raccoons that raided the camp the night before.

Jaeckel said she had made certain the man knew her pet was affixed to the truck.

"He responded twice when I told him the dog was there, tied to the handle," she said.

The man left the campsite about 3:30 a.m. Friday, Jaeckel said. He didn't stop until he reached a convenience store in Silverthorne, 17 miles away.

The man's cousin and a friend left the camp afterward and followed a trail of blood. They retrieved Misha from a dumpster near the store and returned to the campsite, where they buried the dog.

The man also returned to the camp and said the dog's death was an accident. Jaeckel said the man left for Iowa after the camping trip.

Jaeckel said the man told her that a woman had followed him to town, trying to get his attention.

"Apparently, this woman was behind (him) for a long time on Route 9 and tried to stop him," Jaeckel said.

Jaeckel placed an ad in the Summit Daily News, hoping to hear from the female witness.

A different witness filled out a statement Tuesday, said Lesley Craig of Summit County Animal Control. The agency is working with prosecutors on the case and a decision on whether to file animal cruelty or criminal negligence charges could come today, she said.

Jaeckel said she is seeking charges because "this is about holding him accountable and not about revenge."