It was in February that witnesses saw a car driver driving with a dog tied behind one of the back doors. A witness has described the dog as appearing terrified and that there were clear traces of blood in the snow.
Two men who were in the car were subsequently suspected of animal cruelty. In court, they denied the crime and said it was an accident.
Sentenced to psychiatric care
The district court sentenced the two men, one to forensic psychiatric care while the other received a suspended sentence. However, the former appealed to the Court of Appeal – and has now received a lighter sentence.
The Court of Appeal states that the man did not intend to harm the dog, but that the crime was committed out of gross negligence, and changes the punishment from forensic psychiatric care to daily fines totaling SEK 7,000.
The dog was euthanized
The dog was euthanized after the incident due to serious injuries. A report from a vet states that the dog was shaking constantly, hyperventilating so the heart could not be heard, the footpads were loose on all paws and the claws were gone up to the pulp or longer.
In addition to animal cruelty, the man is also convicted of minor assault.