A Framingham man is being held on $10,000 bail after he allegedly dragged his dog by its leash while driving a pickup truck down a city street Sunday.
Framingham Police arrested Christian Ventura, 23, after witnesses reported the incident around 3 p.m. on Second Street.
According to prosecutor Andrew Mange, witnesses called 911 after seeing a dog being dragged on the road by its leash while the leash was reportedly being held from the driver’s side of the truck.
“The dog was rolling around and being dragged on its side,” Mange said during Ventura’s arraignment Monday in Framingham District Court.
One witness reportedly pulled a vehicle in front of the truck, forcing it to stop. Witnesses told police that Ventura then got out, picked up the bleeding dog and placed it inside the truck before driving away.
The witnesses followed Ventura to his home and alerted police, according to the prosecutor.
The dog, a pitbull mix named Laika, suffered injuries to its paws and was transported to a local animal hospital for treatment, police spokeswoman Lt. Rachel Mickens said Monday. Laika is now in the care of Framingham Animal Control and requires surgery for her injuries.
Ventura was charged with animal cruelty and remained held on $10,000 bail following his arraignment.
The case remains pending in Framingham District Court.
