Laura A. Gerson, 69, is being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond and faces charges of animal abuse, fourth-degree assault and careless driving after a September 15 incident in O’Fallon, according to FOX 2.
A probable-cause statement cited by FOX 2 alleges that a witness at a drive-through saw a small dog outside Gerson’s car, tethered to its interior by a leash. After the witness tried to alert Gerson, she drove away, dragging the dog; the car ran over one of its legs. Officials believe the dog suffered a broken leg, FOX 2 reported.
The allegations stem from a drive-through, where a witness saw a small dog outside Gerson’s car with its leash attached to the vehicle’s interior, according to a probable-cause statement cited by FOX 2. After the witness tried to alert Gerson, she drove away; the dog was dragged beside the car, which ran over one of its legs. Officials believe the dog suffered a broken leg, FOX 2 reported.
FOX 2 reported that traffic-camera footage showed Gerson’s car nearly hitting two vehicles, following another car closely and running a red light. When officers caught up with her, they found six dogs in the car without food or water; hardened feces was in their fur, according to the report. The O’Fallon Police Department investigated the incident.
Missouri’s animal-abuse law
According to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes, animal abuse is generally a class A misdemeanor. The law provides for a class E felony in specified circumstances, including a prior finding of guilt for animal abuse or certain cases involving torture or mutilation consciously inflicted while the animal was alive. The charge reported in this case remains an allegation, not a finding of guilt.
Reporting animal concerns in O’Fallon
The City of O’Fallon says its Animal Control/Park Patrol Section handles complaints involving stray or at-large animals, unwanted pets and lost pets. The city advises residents who observe animal cruelty to contact the Police Department immediately, according to the City of O’Fallon.
