AR-News: (NV - US) Man arrested for forcing elderly dog to swim continuously

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

Man arrested on animal cruelty charges

   
   
5/16/2004 07:54 pm 
A 46-year-old Reno man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after police said he forced his dog to swim continuously in the Sparks Marina during a minor standoff with park rangers who had asked the suspect to leave the park.

Mark Lewis Pritchard was booked Saturday into the Washoe County Jail for investigation of obstructing police, animal cruelty and property damage, after he allegedly kicked a police car, denting the trunk.

About 2 p.m. Saturday, park rangers asked Pritchard to leave the park, saying he was disturbing park-goers and allowing his dog to swim in restricted areas.

When Sparks police arrived to help the rangers, Pritchard took his dog into the water and refused to cooperate, officers said. Police said the dog became distressed because of its advanced age. 

Police then called the fire department, asking for boats and swimmers.

As firefighters prepared to paddle out to Pritchard and his dog, officers and Pritchard’s wife convinced him let go of the dog and leave the lake, police said.

As Pritchard was escorted to a police car, officers said he became violent and kicked the car.