WINSLOW, Ariz. — The Winslow Police Department said the agency is investigating the conduct of an animal control officer who was allegedly seen dragging a dog by its neck.
The incident occurred on May 4 as an animal control officer was attempting to capture a dog at large in a neighborhood near Winslow High School.
A video purportedly capturing the incident was recently posted to a local Facebook group and it was taken by Jim Sundwall.
Sundwall said he went outside and noticed an officer down the street in front of a home where a popular neighborhood dog named Raider lives.
“I went over there to tell him, 'Hey, there's a dog that lives here. He might bark, but he doesn't bite.' Well the officer said, 'Well, he just tried to bite me, but I moved my leg in time,'" Sundwall said.
Raider then followed Sundwall home. That's when Sundwall said an animal control truck pulled up in front of his house. The officer jumped out and using a control pole, he grabbed Raider.
Sundwall started recording.
“It's just horrible to watch," Sundwall said.
The video shows a dog lying on the ground, huffing and panting as it is being pulled across the pavement with a control pole.
“He just starts dragging him, just starts pulling him. And the dog, he doesn't know what to do. He's panting and he can't catch his breath. I mean, he's almost passing out. He's starting to bleed from his mouth after a while," Sundwall said.
Sundwall said Raider's owner was there. He is in a wheelchair and was unable to get to the scene but he was yelling, 'You're killing the dog.'
Raider was taken away.
After Sundwall shared the footage of the incident online, it led to outrage in the community.
On Tuesday, Winslow police said the animal control officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and the captured dog appears to be in "good health."
“Raider's beloved by the community, especially on our block. He's really considered everybody's dog that lives in our neighborhood," Sundwall said. "He's really a good dog.”
Raider is still being held.
“I'm disappointed on our our police department. I really am," Sundwall said.
Sundwall said he wants action taken against the officer and Winslow's animal control department.
But most importantly, he wants Raider to come home.
“We just want Raider home. And that's what his owner also wants. He just wants him home," Sundwall said.
The police department asks for patience as they investigate the matter and indicated that the agency will publicly share their findings.
A community group in Winslow has created a donation campaign to build Raider a fence around his owner's property. You can find the link to donate here.
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