Lowell man charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly dragging dog behind car
A man has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly dragging his 2-year-old pit bull behind his van for a half mile Sunday, according to Lowell police.
Around 1:50 p.m., police received numerous calls about a dog being dragged by a van on Hildreth Street. The dog’s owner, Timothy Nicholas, 60, of Lowell, allegedly told responding officers that he took his pit bull to Hovey Park and tied the dog to the back of his van. He said he forgot the animal was outside the van when he drove away, according to police.
Witnesses told police the dog was initially running beside the van, but was dragged when the vehicle increased its speed. The dog suffered severe injuries to its paws, legs, and stomach and was brought to Wignall Animal Hospital for emergency surgery and treatment, according to police.
“Obviously, in a case like this, if you’re going to tie your dog to a vehicle, then you have to take the responsibility of untying the dog and bringing it back in the vehicle. This man was completely irresponsible,” Lowell Police Captain Timothy Crowley said.
Nicholas is expected to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on July 14.
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