Dog Leaps Into Spotlight After Ordeal, Finds Plenty of Friends

The pooch nicknamed “Lucky” is surely one fortunate dog.

Three days after it was dragged for more than a mile--howling and yelping--while roped to the back of a pickup truck, the 2-year-old, 40-pound mixed-breed is recovering nicely at the Carson animal shelter.

And lots of people want to give him a home.

“It’s incredible,” said Marvin Stitts, manager of the Carson shelter. “The telephone has been absolutely ringing off the hook. A hundred people want to adopt this dog. People are offering blankets, rubber dog bones, toys, food. I’d say that’s one fortunate animal.”

On Monday, the animal was tied with a 20-foot rope and dragged behind the truck until a witness enlisted the help of firefighters, who chased down the vehicle. It was brought to the animal shelter bloody and unconscious.

On Wednesday, Aisea Tuuholoaki, 35, of Hawthorne, pleaded not guilty to felony animal cruelty charges.

The dog will be kept as evidence in the case and then given away, officials said. One of those who want the pooch is its keeper at the shelter.

“He’s so adorable,” said Jesse Madrigal, who nicknamed the dog Lucky. “I want to take him home.”