WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. — A homeless man who dragged a dog behind a pickup truck will spend 270 days in jail after accepting a plea deal, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said.
Gregory Tousignant pleaded guilty to animal neglect Wednesday.
On May 3, deputies received calls about a dog that was being dragged behind a pickup in Weeki Wachee. The dog's collar was tied by a rope to the back bumper.
The 1-year-old pit bull terrier was able to free himself, and a bystander took the dog to a rescue for treatment.
The dog, named Ollie, will be put up for adoption after he recovers.
Deputies were able to identify the dog's owner as Tousignant.
On May 8, deputies spotted the pickup. When they stopped it, Tousignant was the driver, they said.
He didn't have a valid driver's license, deputies said.
It is illegal to carry any pet in the bed of a truck that is not properly secured and prevented from jumping out of a moving vehicle, deputies said.
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