SOUTH FORSYTH — A 41-year-old Cumming man faces animal cruelty and traffic charges after he was spotted Wednesday afternoon driving a pickup truck that was dragging a German shepherd behind it along Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

According to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Miguel Sanchez remains in custody at the local detention center.

Bond has been set at $4,680.50 on the charges of animal cruelty, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license, all of which are misdemeanors. In addition, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on him.

According to the sheriff’s office, the incident began about 4:30 p.m. when Forsyth County 911 began receiving reports from motorists that a truck was dragging a dog tied to a leash along on Ronald Reagan (Hwy. 141) near The Collection outdoor mall.

A sheriff’s investigator in an unmarked car reportedly spotted the truck, but did not see a dog.

Several motorists then alerted the investigator to the truck, which he stopped at Ronald Reagan and Majors Road. Inside, according to sheriff’s reports, he found an injured German shepherd. 

Deputies determined the dog, which was bleeding heavily, needed immediate medical attention. They took it to a nearby veterinarian’s office, where it was treated for what were described as injuries to the front paws and bruising around the neck.

It appears the dog, which had been tied down in the bed of the truck, fell out during the trip.

It was not immediately clear how far the dog was dragged before Sanchez realized what had happened, stopped and put him inside.

At last check, the dog was expected to survive.