Authorities seek help identifying suspect who dragged dogs behind car

Appellate Courts
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Sherry Boston, District Attorney | Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney

The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office is seeking public assistance to identify a man involved in a disturbing incident where two dogs were tied to the back of a car and dragged along a roadway, resulting in the death of one dog.

The incident occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024. Surveillance footage captured the man arriving at the Redan Recreation Center parking lot on Phillips Road in Lithonia with two dogs tethered to his vehicle. After stopping, he untied the dogs from the bumper and left them behind. The driver appeared to reverse out of the parking area strategically to avoid having his license plate recorded by surveillance cameras.

A witness noticed the abandoned dogs and alerted authorities. An officer from DeKalb County Animal Enforcement responded to find two dogs with ropes around their necks. One dog—a medium-sized, black, mixed breed male estimated between one and seven years old—was found deceased. The other dog—a medium-sized, brindle, mixed breed male about nine months old—suffered severe injuries and is now under the care of DeKalb County Animal Services/Lifeline Animal Project.

Investigators describe the suspect's vehicle as a dark four-door sedan believed to be a 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu. At the time of the incident, the driver was wearing dark pants, a white baseball cap, and a dark gray top featuring a white logo on the chest and white writing across the back.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to this case to contact DeKalb County Animal Enforcement tip line at 404-294-2939.