Dragged Dog Continues His Recovery

By Jennifer Loren, The News On 6

BRISTOW, OK -- An abused dog gets a second chance at life.  After being dragged behind an SUV in October, the dog is well on his way to recovery.  And, it appears the dog has made a lot of friends along the way and has become a voice for all abused animals.

He walks with a limp and his wounds are shocking.  But, compared to his condition two months ago, Jake is a success story.

"You could tell he had been through a pretty bad ordeal.  Most of his body had suffered an injury of some type," said Dr. William H. Mitchell with the Bristow Veterinary Hospital.

According to Creek County Sheriff's deputies, Jake was strapped to the bumper of an SUV and dragged for almost a mile.  Eye witnesses called the sheriff's office which immediately notified the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

"The sheriff's office could have made the decision immediately to have the dog euthanized and do an emergency euthanasia. And, they did not choose to do that," said Ruth Steinberger with the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

The alliance applauds deputies for giving Jake a second chance at life.  He's now part of the family at the Bristow Veterinary Hospital where the staff has given him a lot of TLC.

"He just has the type of eye that uh, makes you, draws an affinity to him.  And, that's what I saw the night that he came in. I saw an animal that wanted to live," said Dr. William H. Mitchell with the Bristow Veterinary Hospital.

Eye witnesses were able to identify 20-year-old Cody Hahn as the suspect who dragged the dog.  He's charged with felony animal cruelty after a long investigation.

"This is a particularly heinous case and I think people are becoming more aware that this type of violence, random violence, against a completely voiceless victim is perpetrated by somebody who could be dangerous within their own community as well," said Ruth Steinberger with the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

That's why she hopes little Jake can become a voice for something much bigger.

"Getting people to step forward when they see acts of cruelty; report them," said Ruth Steinberger with the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

Cody Hahn will be in Creek County Court for a hearing on January 6th.

A dispatcher at the Creek County Sheriff's Office is waiting for Jake to heal completely so he can adopt him.

Related Story:

10/31/2008  Investigation Continues Into Dog Dragging