SONORA, California – The Sonora Police Department is seeking information about a suspected animal cruelty incident that took place in the downtown area on New Year’s Eve. The incident involved a green 1967 or 1968 Ford F-100 pickup truck.
According to the police, the incident was reported at 4:53 p.m. Sunday when two men were seen arguing near South Washington Street and Stockton Road. Witnesses stated that the argument stemmed from a green pickup truck that was dragging a dog attached to a tether.
The department released a statement Tuesday night along with a surveillance camera image of the truck, saying that the driver of the pickup caused unnecessary harm to the dog by negligently causing it to be dragged by its tether. There were reports from witnesses that the male driver of the pickup used a knife to kill the dog, but the police chief stated that they were unable to find any other witnesses or evidence to confirm that.
Sonora Police Chief Turu VanderWiel expressed surprise that the department had only received one call regarding the incident, considering the nature of the offense. The department is urging anyone with more information about the incident or who can identify the owner of the pickup truck to come forward and contact them.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the Sonora Police Department at (209) 532-8141.