Forsyth County - A German shepherd who was dragged behind a truck on Wednesday has a new temporary home.
Dep. Doug Rainwater, a spokesman for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, said the dog, an about 2-year-old female, was taken in by volunteers with the Humane Society of Forsyth County on Friday after spending the previous two days in veterinarian care.
The dog, who Humane Society leaders said has been renamed Rosemary, sustained injuries to the pads of her paws after being dragged down Ronald Reagan Boulevard behind the truck driven by her former owner Wednesday afternoon.
“The man [who dragged the dog] signed the paperwork [Thursday] night and gave ownership of the dog to the Forsyth County Humane Society,” Rainwater said.
As for her former owner, 41-year-old Miguel Sanchez, Rainwater said he will likely be deported as a result of the incident.
“[Sanchez] is on hold for immigration so he will probably be sent back to his [home country],” Rainwater said, although he did not know which country Sanchez is from.
“He’s still at our jail and he’s going to remain at our jail until he makes bond. But once he makes bond, the [federal authorities] are going to come pick him up, or at least review his case. And I think because of the circumstances, they’ll [deport] him.”
Sanchez’ bond was set at $4,680.50 after he was arrested on charges of animal cruelty, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license.
Motorists on Ronald Reagan Boulevard spotted the dog being dragged by the pickup Sanchez was driving around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
It appears the dog, which had been tied in the bed of the truck by a leash, fell out during the trip.
It is not clear how long she was dragged before Sanchez realized what had happened, stopped and put the dog in the truck’s cab.
Sheriff’s deputies found the injured dog inside the truck after pulling over Sanchez near the intersection of Ronald Reagan and Majors Road.
Dr. Lanier Orr, the vet who cared for Rosemary, said a few of the pads of her paws were almost completely torn off due to being dragged on the asphalt.
On Friday, Orr and his staff made sure those paws were well-bandaged before giving her over to Mary Murphy, animal program director for the Humane Society.
Murphy said Rosemary will remain at the society’s no-kill shelter on Keith Bridge Road for a few days until a suitable foster family is found for her.
After her paws completely heal, she’ll be available for adoption.
Murphy praised both the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Orr and his staff for taking good care of the dog.
“The Sheriff’s Office did a stellar job in this case and Dr. Orr took great care of her,” Murphy said. “Now we’ll make sure she finds a perfect home after she’s all healed.
“We’ve already had a lot of people interested in her, so I’m sure it won’t take too long.”
