Marietta man sentenced to more than 10 years in puppy dragging case

Update (07/15/14, 12:15 p.m.):

GREENVILLE, S.C. – A Marietta man accused of dragging a puppy behind his vehicle in 2013 pleaded guilty to ill treatment of animals in a Greenville County courtroom Tuesday morning.

Roger Owens, who has remained in the Greenville County Detention Center since his arrest in December of last year, was sentenced to more than 10 consecutive years: five years on the ill treatment charge, five years for a habitual traffic offender charge, and six months for a driving under suspension charge.

Original story (02/08/14):

GREENVILLE, S.C. – A Marietta man accused of dragging a puppy behind his vehicle remains in jail after waiving two hearings in connection with the case.

Roger Owens, 53, was scheduled to go before a judge on Thursday for a preliminary hearing and on Friday for a reduction in bond hearing.

According to investigators, several witnesses reported seeing someone in an older-model, white pickup dragging a 12-month-old dog behind a truck near the intersection of Hart Cut and Wildwood roads in Marietta in November of last year.

Now known as Andra Grace, the puppy suffered serious injuries to her legs and paws. Shortly after the incident, she was adopted by the Northeast Chapter of Special Needs Animal Rescue Rehabilitation, a rescue group that works to save dogs with tough medical conditions.

Based on witness statements, Owens was issued a Uniform Ordinance Summons, a misdemeanor, for cruelty to animals, but the charge was upgraded to a felony charge of ill treatment of animals. He also was charged with two counts of driving under suspension and two counts of being a habitual traffic offender.

Owens has remained in jail since his arrest, currently being held in the Greenville County Detention Center on bonds totaling $30,000.