Pitbull Dragged For Miles Behind Car Dies After Owner Allegedly Forgot To Untie His Leash

A man in Florida was accused of animal cruelty after several people witnessed him speeding down a highway, dragging a pitbull behind his car, according to a local sheriff’s office.

A Pasco County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy told local news that the dog died from its injuries, including severe road rash on half of its body and mangled paws.

Arlow Lorenzo Phillips, 65, was later arrested by deputies and told officers that he killed the dog, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. Multiple witnesses saw Phillips “driving erratically” and speeding while dragging a pitbull behind his black 2008 Kia at approximately 9:00 p.m. on August 10, according to police.

One of the witnesses claimed that the dog was “howling” as it was being driven down the highway.

A Pasco deputy explained that he also saw Phillips driving that night. He recalled a gruesome situation, explaining that the pitbull was in a pool of its blood at Manor Drive and U.S. Highway 19 in Pasco County.

The dog’s leash had been tied to the back passenger door with the window closed, according to the sherrif’s office. The deputy recalled that he saw that the dog had road rash on half of his body and that his paws were “severely” impaired.

Other witnesses who were interviewed by police verified the shocking details, claiming that the dog was wailing. How long the dog was tied to the vehicle was not known when the statement was published.

Pasco deputies noticed Phillips driving the same black 2008 Kia that day, and they carried out a traffic stop after realizing that his drivers’ license had been suspended since 2007. Phillips has seven convictions for driving with a suspended or revoked license (DWLSR) in addition to other convictions.

He was arrested that night and charged with cruelty to animals and DWLSR. The sheriff’s office questioned him about the death of the dog.

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Phillips claimed that he had attached the dog to his car because the air conditioning did not work making it too hot for the dog to be inside. He claimed that he forgot about the dog while driving along the highway.

He said he had taken the dog to an emergency vet, but that the dog was pronounced dead on arrival. When police reached out to the vet, they explained that Phillips told them a story of the dog being hit by a car.