Dog survives being dragged behind man's truck

LOWELL, MA -- The owner of a 2-year-old pit bull has been charged with cruelty to animals after allegedly dragged the dog behind his truck.

Buddy the dog is in rough shape with all four paws bandaged, his stomach and legs shredded and red.

His owner is Timothy Nicholas, 60, of Lowell.

On Sunday, police say Nicholas tied Buddy to his van while he and a friend hung out at a park.

However, when Nicholas left the park with the friend, Buddy was still leashed to the van

Lowell police Captain Timothy Crowley said, "The dog initially was running alongside of the van, but obviously the van sped up to a point where the dog could no longer keep up."

WFXT reports several people witnessed Nicholas dragging Buddy down a busy street for a half-mile before he stopped at an intersection.

Nicholas has been ordered to appear in court on a felony charge of animal cruelty.

Buddy has a long and expensive recovery ahead.