Expand / Collapse search
☰

Rewards increased for arrest in DeKalb County dog cruelty case

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  November 4, 2024 6:32pm EST
DeKalb County
FOX 5 Atlanta

Wanted: Man caught dragging dogs behind car

The reward has increased for information that leads to the arrest of a man caught on video allegedly dragging two dogs behind his car in DeKalb County.

The Brief

    • Animal rights groups in metro Atlanta have increased the reward up to $6,000 to find the person accused of dragging two dogs with his car.
    • The horrific incident, captured on surveillance cameras, occurred at Redan Recreation Center and resulted in the death of one dog.
    • The suspect is believed to deliberately hide his license plate and is described as driving a dark-colored sedan, possibly a Chevrolet Malibu from 2008 to 2012.
    • The accused faces two counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty, which carry penalties of up to 10 years in jail and fines up to $30,000.
    • Georgia Animal Rights and Protection stresses the potential link between animal cruelty and subsequent violence toward humans, emphasizing the importance of catching the perpetrator.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - More metro Atlanta animal rights organizations are offering a reward for whoever can help DeKalb County police catch a man accused of tying two dogs to the back of his car and dragging them down a road.

"This was something unnecessary and unbelievable and horrific," said Sarita Raturi, Georgia Animal Rights and Protection.

Halo House for Dogs, an organization that provides end-of-life care for senior dogs, and Georgia Animal Rights and Protection have teamed up to offer a reward of up to $6,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the man responsible for the alleged animal cruelty.

A shot taken from the security cameras. (DeKalb County District Attorney)

"We wanted to take up this case and make sure this guy is convicted and prosecuted," said Raturi.

The reward is in addition to the previous $1,000 offered by the Henry County Humane Society.

"The defenseless dogs should have been loved and cared for. Instead, ropes were tied around their necks, and they were subjected to incredible pain and suffering," the groups said in a statement announcing the new reward.

Dog abuse caught on camera, DeKalb officials say

Video catches man dragging dogs behind car

Disturbing video out of DeKalb County as investigators hope someone will be able to identify a man seen dragging two dogs from his car bumper. This video shows the September incident at a county recreation center.

DeKalb County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Claire Simms Chaffins says the alleged animal abuse happened on Sept. 13 at the Redan Recreation Center on Phillips Road.

According to investigators, surveillance cameras caught the man dragging the dogs behind the car, untying them from his bumper, and leaving them in the lot to die. 

"He briefly got out of the car. Untied the dogs and carefully backed out of the parking lot. Our investigators believe that's to hide his license plate number from the cameras." Chaffins said. 

A witness made the shocking discovery of the dogs and called the police. Officials described the two animals as a medium-sized black mixed breed and a medium-sized mixed brindle that was around 9 months old. The black dog did not survive its injuries.

"Research has proven that people with this mentality who can harm an innocent animal can lead to killings and cruelty towards humans," said Raturi.

(DeKalb County District Attorney)

"It's like a domino effect so many other things can happen so we cannot allow this to happen," Raturi added.

Authorities described the car involved in the case as a dark-colored, four-door sedan which may be a 2008 to 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The driver was wearing a dark gray top with a white logo on the chest and white writing on the back, dark pants, and a white baseball cap.

Officials say the suspect will face two counts of felony aggravated animal cruelty charges, which can carry up to 10 years in jail and $30,000 in fines.

"Something that people think may not be useful information can lead to the prosecution can lead to the arrest of this person," said Raturi.

If you have any information that could help with the investigation, call the DeKalb County Animal Enforcement tip line at 404-294-2939.

The Source

  • Halo House for Dogs, Georgia Animal Rights and Protection, the Henry County Humane Society and the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office provided information for this story. Additional information was reported by FOX 5's Eric Perry.