Pit bull's dragging was called training, police say

A 25-year-old Aurora man has been charged with animal cruelty for dragging a pit bull from a leash attached to the rear of a moving car, police said Tuesday.

David Solis, of the 1000 block of Sard Avenue, was arrested about 5:30 p.m. Monday after Aurora police said they received a 911 call and responded to an apartment complex on the 1100 block of North Farnsworth Avenue.

Officers found the female dog, roughly 2 years old, laying on the ground and panting heavily.

The dog, named Princess, had obvious injuries to its paws, police said.

Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said the dog was behind a 1993 Honda Civic CRX that had a leash attached to the rear window latch.

Officers said they found additional evidence indicating the pooch had been dragged by the vehicle around an oval track that encircled the apartment complex parking lot.

"(Solis) said he was disciplining the dog for misbehaving," Ferrelli said.

Solis was on the scene when police arrived and was arrested without incident, authorities said.

Officers from Aurora Animal Control took the dog, which apparently belongs to a relative of Solis.

"(Solis) told us he has had the dog for about three weeks and had borrowed her from a family member for protection," Ferrelli said.

Princess was taken to an area veterinarian for examination.

Aurora Animal Control Director Linda Nass said Princess, who weighs 45 pounds and is white with brown spots, will be fine.

"She's doing great," Nass said Tuesday afternoon. "She's being treated for dehydration and injuries to the pads of her feet, but after a few days with the vet, she'll be fine."

Bond for Solis was set at $25,000. His next scheduled court appearance is 9 a.m. Aug. 28 at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles. Animal cruelty is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Nass said Princess will remain with animal control until the state's attorney's office decides her fate.