PSL man charged with animal cruelty

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A 39-year-old man faces a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge on suspicion of dragging his dog that was tied to his bumper for more than a mile, according to records released Tuesday.

Tony Lee Freeman, of the 3300 block of Southwest Perrine Street, was arrested Monday following the Sunday incident.

Port St. Lucie police officers went to Southwest Rosser Boulevard and Southwest Mercedes Avenue and met with Freeman, who said he owned the dog — which was bleeding heavily.

“He said he tied the dog to the bumper so it would not run loose,” records state. “He said he forgot the dog was there when he backed out of the garage.”

The dog, dragged 1.2 miles before Freeman stopped, was alive at the time, though a veterinarian later indicated the dog “more than likely” would have to be euthanized, stated a police report.

According to a report, Freeman stopped at four stop signs before turning onto Southwest Rosser Boulevard.

Police arrested Freeman, listed as self-employed, on Monday at his listed address.

No other information was immediately available.