Township Man Starts New Petition Over Alleged 'Puppy-Dragger'

A Lower Saucon Township man who has started another online petition in response to recent news about the case.

The Express-Times reported Monday that Kyle Luckey, of Roseto, will have a summary charge of transporting animals in a cruel manner filed against him as a result of the Feb. 10 incident, in which it is alleged that Luckey's 10-week-old Akita and Labrador mix was dragged behind a truck through parts of Roseto and Bangor.

Andrew Schade's new petition, which is hosted by the website Change.org, is titled "Judge Todd Strohe: Charge Kyle Luckey to the fullest extent of the law," and already has more than 50 signatures.

Strohe is the district judge with whom charges are expected to be filed by Bangor police.

When asked why he decided to begin another petition about the case, Schade said, "I am so passionate about this issue because I am an animal rights activist. I speak up for those who are unable to speak up for themselves."

Among the comments posted on Schade's petition was one from Andrea Dunbar, who called the allegations against Luckey "barbaric."

"This just sickens me," she wrote. "He needs to be punished to the max."

According to the Express-Times article, if found guilty of the charge, Luckey faces a maximum $300 fine and 90 days in jail.

Luckey asserts that the dragging was unintentional in a video interview posted by the Morning Call on its website, in which he says he believes the puppy, Beretta, ran behind his truck as he drove away and accidentally became attached to its hitch by her leash when she put her paws on its rear bumper during a brief stop.

Beretta, who was treated following the incident at a Saylorsburg-area veterinary clinic, has been returned to Luckey's custody, both newspapers have reported.