Blythe Bernhard, St. Louis Post-Dispatch –
A pit bull puppy that was dragged behind a truck on Interstate 55 for a mile on Wednesday is recovering from severe injuries, Humane Society officials said today.
The 5-month-old dog, named Trooper by his medical team, has improved after five days in intensive care and veterinarians are “guardedly optimistic” about his chances.
“This puppy has experienced severe trauma and horrible injuries and his condition could change quickly,” said Dr. Mark Wright, the Humane Society’s director of shelter medicine, in a statement. “However, we are doing everything possible to support his recovery, reduce the chances for infection and keep him out of pain.”
At some point Wednesday morning, the puppy’s leash became hooked on the trailer hitch of a Dodge pickup without the driver’s knowledge. When the driver left a parking lot at Wilmington Avenue near I-55, the animal was pulled under a trailer already attached to the truck, investigators said.
The driver took the Bates Street on-ramp and traveled northbound one mile before another driver spotted the dog and flagged him down.
Investigators said the driver was distraught but cooperative. He did not recognize the dog or know how the 20-lb. animal became tethered to the truck. The dog had a blue collar and leash but no identifying tags or microchip.
The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $2,500 reward for information on the incident.
