BREWER, Maine — A Brewer man was charged with cruelty to animals Wednesday after he reportedly dragged his bulldog behind his pickup on Tuesday, causing the dog to suffer injuries.
Jeffrey Mayhew, 31, also was summoned for violating the conditions of his release from a prior arrest on May 17 for operating under the influence, Brewer Public Safety Director Jason Moffitt said Wednesday in a news release.
Both charges are Class D crimes punishable by less than a year in jail and fines of up to $2,000.
The news release did not indicate whether police believe the incident was an accident or otherwise.
Moffitt said Brewer police began the investigation when a passing Penobscot County sheriff’s deputy was flagged down by witnesses who reported that a leashed dog was being dragged behind a pickup truck on Wilson Street.
Mayhew took the 14-week-old male bulldog to a local emergency veterinary clinic for treatment of cuts to its paws and legs, Moffitt said. The dog survived and was released to Mayhew.
Moffitt said additional details were not being released at this time.