Man, 28, 'tied dog to brick for strength training'
A man is reportedly facing animal cruelty charges after photos went viral appearing to show him walking a puppy that was dragging a brick on a chain.
The pictures show the man police identified as Scottie Lee Lewis, 28, walking the puppy through a North Carolina petrol station car park last week.
The images have since been re-shared by thousands on social media, sparking police and animal services in the town of Rowan to investigate the animal’s welfare.
Police say Lewis told them he was “strength training” the dog so he “would look muscular”, according to WBTV news.
Rockwell Police Chief Hugh Bost told the Sailsbury Post investigators determined the pup was too young for strength training and believed the puppy was being “overloaded or overworked”.
Lewis was handed a misdemeanor citation for animal cruelty.
The puppy’s current location is not known as Lewis reportedly claimed the dog was stolen from him while he was in police custody, the news station reported.
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