The dog ate my homework, swallowed my keys, signed over power of attorney. We thought we’d heard them all, right?
Not quite. When Springfield Police pulled a Colorado man over for speeding 22 miles over the limit last Saturday, he added to the list of excuses foisted on animals. But the cops didn’t swallow it.
As officers approached the vehicle, the driver tried to switch places with his dog who was riding in the passenger seat. The suspect slowly exited the passenger door and claimed he was not the one who was driving, according to police.
Officers reported that the unidentified man demonstrated “clear signs of intoxication.” Asked whether he’d been drinking, the man fled the scene only to be apprehended 20 yards away from the car.
Following medical clearance from a local hospital, the suspect was booked into Baca County jail on outstanding warrants and a host of charges including DUI, driving on a suspended license, speeding and resisting arrest.
Colorado statute 18-9-202 allows for criminal prosecution of animal abuse or neglect. Part of the statute reads: “A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence . . . carries or confines in or upon any vehicles in a cruel or reckless manner . . .” As of this writing, the suspect has not been charged with animal neglect/endangerment.
Springfield Police reported that an acquaintance of the suspect is currently caring for his dog. It’s assumed the dog was not charged with driving while canine.
We hope that he’ll find a new best human friend possessing far better judgement and a stiffer moral code.