Arrest Warrant Issued for Man after Dog Seen in Distress in Back of Moving Trailer in NW Indiana
Investigation Launched after Cell Phone Video Shows Dog in Back of Trailer
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Lake County, Indiana man after cell phone video showed a dog in distress in the back of a moving trailer on an expressway earlier this week before later being rescued.
Witness Captures Incident on Video
A witness captured the incident Tuesday afternoon in the eastbound lanes near Calumet Avenue in Hammond, Indiana. The video, taken by Ryan Jackson, prompted a police investigation into the well-being and safety of the dog.
Witness Describes Disturbing Scene
“I was heartbroken at first,” Jackson said. “I really couldn’t believe that someone would treat their animal that way.” He described seeing the cage moved a little bit, the dog repositioned a few times, and the dog shivering, with its hair standing up.
Pursuit and Rescue
The dog, believed to be a mastiff, appeared to be in distress. Jackson followed the driver of the SUV, documenting everything on video before calling 911. “It was about 28 degrees outside at the time and I was doing speeds of 70 to 80 miles an hour to stay with and behind the truck and trailer,” he said.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Erik V. McClinton
Indiana State Police ran the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle, leading them to several homes in Lake County before finding the dog in Gary, Indiana. An arrest warrant has been issued for Erik V. McClinton, 37, on a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. McClinton is not in custody and has been asked to turn himself in to the Lake County Jail.
Rescue Efforts
Cell phone video posted by State Police shows an off-duty K-9 handler rescuing and feeding the timid dog. “He’d been outside for a while just by his coat and his demeanor, he was definitely apprehensive and nervous,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield.
Dog’s Current Status
The dog, named Midnight, has since been placed in a foster home. “I have to give a lot of credit to our detectives and the off-duty K-9 officer who took the initiative in this,” Sgt. Fifield said. “These two officers have a heart of gold and compassion for dogs.”
Charges Filed
Detectives later tracked down and questioned the 37-year-old owner, who was behind the wheel. Indiana State Police submitted charges to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for approval for a misdemeanor offense of animal cruelty. “There’s a big difference between normal transportation of an animal and reckless transportation which was happening yesterday,” he said. “I’m hopeful that the prosecutor’s office will also see it that way as well.”
Conclusion
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper animal care and the consequences of neglecting an animal’s well-being.
FAQs
* What happened to the dog?
The dog, named Midnight, was rescued and placed in a foster home.
* Who is facing charges?
Erik V. McClinton, 37, is facing a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge.
* What was the witness’s reaction to the incident?
The witness, Ryan Jackson, was “heartbroken” and “couldn’t believe that someone would treat their animal that way.”
