KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Police Question Two Suspects In Dog Dragging Case

Police Question Two Suspects In Dog Dragging Case

The pictures are horrific.  One year old Nellie left on the side of the road last week, dragged within inches of her life. Those who heard her story, like M.J. Mitchell, say they are furious.

"It's almost the same reaction you have when somebody harms a child. I'm sure that dog was precious to somebody," says Mitchell.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff's Department says they are questioning two 17 year old boys about that night. At least one of the suspects admits a role in Nellie's injuries, but says it was an accident, not abuse.

The sheriff's department says they will not make an arrest without a grand jury indictment. If convicted, the two would face felony charges.

Sheriff Pat Burnett says, "We're not going to be the judge and jury ourselves. We're going to put it before the grand jury and let them tell their story."

Sheriff Burnett says after our story aired, he was flooded with emails and phone calls from animal lovers both in East Texas and around the nation. 

"We've had a major outcry," says Burnett.

Donations and pledges to help with Nellie's care have been pouring in to Dr. Clifton Bradshaw's animal clinic in Mineola, and at local businesses in Grand Saline.

Dianna Fite-Craft owns the Grand Saline Florist and has a donation bucket for Nellie by the cash register.

"They've left change left over from sales, all the way up to 'Let me go to my car.'  You know,  $10, $20; however much they can," say Dianna.

Some of the money is even coming from children who want to help like Dianna's 9 year old son Logan.

"He gets ten dollars allowance, and when I gave it to him, that's where it went," says Dianna.

Hopefully, a little compassion now will mean a great deal for the dog whose having to overcome the worst kind of treatment.

Lindsay Wilcox/Reporting: lwilcox@kltv.com