Lake County, Indiana – The man transporting an unsecured dog in an open utility trailer last week has been identified and charged. As reported by WGN-TV, 37-year-old Erik McClinton has been charged with a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.
According to reports, McClinton tried to regain custody of the dog who was captured and taken in by state police after being apparently being abandoned at a residence. The dog, Midnight, was malnourished and had some visible injuries. The authorities did not return the dog to McClinton – instead, he was transferred to a foster home for care.
The authorities said:
“The Indiana State Police Lowell Post has received numerous calls, messages of concern, and requests to adopt Midnight. While we truly appreciate this outpouring of support, if he is put up for adoption it wouldn’t be for some time. He will continue to be housed with the foster home until this case is adjudicated or unless otherwise directed by the court.”
McClinton tried to claim that the cage Midnight was in was secured to the trailer and covered with a blanket that had “blown off.” The police determined these statements to be false.
Read the original story about this situation here.
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