Here’s one rule that should be mandatory for everyone who ever expects to own a dog: If, for some reason, you feel the need to tie your dog to your car, always be sure that you untie the dog before driving away. This should rank as not only one of the basic rules of pet ownership, but just a simple test of common sense, up there with “Don’t whiz on the electric fence.”
I know, I really shouldn’t have to say these things, and hopefully none of you reading this really need such a reminder. However, occasionally you get someone like Keith A. Guastamacchia, who apparently could have benefitted from a refresher on the basics of dog care. More precisely, Guastamacchia’s 1-year-old Chihuahua, Roxy, is the one who would have benefitted.
Guastamacchia was arrested in Highlands, New Jersey, on Friday night and charged with animal cruelty, according to the Asbury Park Press, when a police officer saw him driving down the street, dragging Roxy behind. According to Guastamacchia, he stopped to give Roxy a little bathroom break by the side of the road and tied her leash to the side of the car. While she was relieving herself, a friend called on his cell phone, and the two got into an argument. He was so upset by the phone call that he got back into the car, completely forgetting to untie Roxy.
Amazingly enough, the little dog survived getting dragged along the road.
“The pup was saved after the officer saw the car with the dog in tow behind it and pulled it over,” said Victor Amato of the Monmouth County SPCA. “The actions of the alert officer, no doubt, saved the dog’s life.”
We can be thankful that someone, at least, was alert. The fact that Roxy survived such an extreme degree of stupidity is truly amazing, and we wish her a speedy recovery. We hope that when the court system is done with Keith Guastamacchia, she gets a smarter owner.
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