Crime

Metro-east man faces felony charges in dog-dragging case

Helpful humans use wet towels in attempt to cool down an overheated dog who was dragged from a vehicle in Washington Park. Gateway Pet Guardians stepped in to assist with the dog’s medical expenses, but ultimately the dog died.
Helpful humans use wet towels in attempt to cool down an overheated dog who was dragged from a vehicle in Washington Park. Gateway Pet Guardians stepped in to assist with the dog’s medical expenses, but ultimately the dog died. Provided by Gateway Pet Guardians
Washington Park Police respond Wednesday afternoon to a report of a dog being thrown out of a truck. Officers found the dog overheated and helpful humans covered the dog in wet towels to try to cool him down. Later, police learned the dog was dragged by a vehicle.
Washington Park Police respond Wednesday afternoon to a report of a dog being thrown out of a truck. Officers found the dog overheated and helpful humans covered the dog in wet towels to try to cool him down. Later, police learned the dog was dragged by a vehicle. Courtesy of Gateway Pet Guardians

The man accused of dragging a dog from his vehicle in Washington Park Wednesday now faces two felony charges in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Tracy Eugene McKee, 62, of Sparta, was charged Friday with animal torture, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony.

Charging documents allege McKee placed a heavy chain around a male Rottweiler’s neck, and dragged the dog from his vehicle on Bunkum Road in Washington Park and then abandoned it. The dog died as a result of its injuries, the charging documents state.

Washington Park Police Chief Allen Bonds previously told the BND that law enforcement received a call about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday from a bystander who said they saw a dog being thrown from a vehicle. Police found the dog in distress and foaming at the mouth on the side of Bunkum Road near Miss Kitty’s adult entertainment club, he said.

Security video showed the dog had been dragged from a vehicle, Bonds said.

Gateway Pet Guardians, an animal shelter in East St. Louis, posted about the incident on Facebook before charges were filed. The post says the dog was rushed to a local emergency veterinary hospital and suffered from severely elevated body temperature.

The dog’s condition worsened and veterinary professionals “made the compassionate decision” to euthanize him, the post says.

Gateway Pet Guardians paid nearly $1,000 for the dog’s emergency veterinary care. The shelter encouraged people to donate in the dog’s memory and to help other animals in need.

McKee has a pretrial detention hearing set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the St. Clair County Courthouse.

ML
Madison Lammert
Belleville News-Democrat
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