- Ohio, USA -
On Thursday, January 5, 2023, in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Judge John Durkin sentenced 56-years-old MECHELLE EVELYN JANE KELLY (pictured) to 30 days in jail and two years of probation for dragging her defenseless dog behind her car.
KELLY is being credited for one day already served on a fifth-degree felony charge of cruelty to companion animals.
On May 29, 2022, a motorist saw KELLY driving a car on Jacobs Road, on Youngstown’s East Side, and noticed that behind the vehicle was a dog who was tethered to the bumper and was being dragged along. KELLY then chained up her dog in her backyard. Thankfully, the motorist took pictures of the dog and KELLY and after alerting the authorities, the Youngstown Police Department and Animal Charity of Ohio responded to the scene.
The furbaby named Oreo who at the time was 18 months old, suffered severe burns to her paws, road rash, broken toes, lost almost all her nails, cuts on her legs and stomach, and left blood and skin on the pavement.
Humane agents with the Animal Charity of Ohio said Oreo was dragged for about 100 yards while the vehicle was going around 35 miles per hour.
Reportedly, when officials asked KELLY why she had dragged her dog, she said she punished her for breaking loose from her chain.
On June 16, 2022, KELLY was indicted on a charge of cruelty to companion animals, a fifth-degree felony. She pleaded guilty to the charge on November 11, 2022.
On Thursday, at the sentencing hearing, Animal Charity of Ohio humane agent Jessica MacMurchy described the injuries that Oreo suffered and while showing the pictures to Judge Durkin, she inevitably became very emotional, her hands were shaking, and had to pause a few times. “This one was upsetting,” she told the judge.
Ms. MacMurchy explained to Judge Durkin that when she arrived at the scene, Oreo could not stand on her own. She then rightfully said that all KELLY had to do was put Oreo in the car.
A tearful KELLY then told Judge Durkin: “I am so sorry. I would never hurt dogs. I love dogs.”
Judge Durkin told her he didn’t care how fast she was driving. “You drove fast enough and far enough to cause these injuries,” he said.
When Judge Durkin expressed his perplexity as to why KELLY didn’t just pick up the dog and put her in the car, KELLY said she couldn’t because of a medical condition.
However, the judge said KELLY should have waited for help. “Somehow, someway, you should have put the dog in your car,” he said.
Oreo has recovered from her injuries and has been adopted.
KELLY must continue mental health counseling as part of her probation when she is released from jail.
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