Probation for owner in dog dragging incident

A Niagara woman arrested for animal cruelty after her dog was dragged behind a car for almost a kilometre has been placed on probation for 18 months.

Cassandra McKay appeared in Ontario Court of Justice in Welland earlier this month and pleaded guilty to the offence.

In addition to probation, the 42year-old Fort Erie resident was also ordered to pay the remainder of an outstanding vet bill.

On Feb. 2, 2017, court was told, McKay drove up to the Beer Store on Lincoln Street in Welland. She got out of her vehicle carrying her 10-monthold dachshund/beagle mix, and hooked the dog’s leash to the passenger side door before going inside the store.

She left the store a few moments later, placed a six-pack of beer in the car, and drove away, forgetting the dog was tied to the side of the vehicle.

She drove along Lincoln Street to Southworth Street with the dog making a “valiant effort to keep up,” said assistant Crown attorney Robert Mahler.

Eventually, the dog was unable to keep up and was dragged behind the vehicle to the horror of witnesses.

Several people tried unsuccessfully to signal the driver about the dog, which was dragged until the leash broke seconds before the car collided with another vehicle.

The animal was taken to Rose City Animal Hospital where it was treated for injuries to its paws and its side.

Charges were laid by Niagara Regional Police and not Welland and District Humane Society. The SPCA did not remove the animal from McKay’s care. She still owns the dog.

A similar charge was laid against McKay’s passenger, Gary DeWilde, 47. That charge has since been withdrawn.

At the time of the incident, DeWilde told The Tribune the dog had jumped out of the car’s window.