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A Massachusetts man was driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Route 128 in Waltham when he spotted a dog chained to the flat bed of a moving tow truck.
Michael Gerry snapped a photo, then tried to flag down the driver who, he said ignored him. He then contacted Ramsey’s Towing, state police, and local news channels in an effort to have the tow truck driver stopped and the dog safely removed from the flat bed.
State Troopers attempted to located the truck but were unsuccessful in finding him or the dog. Police then contacted the towing company who said they were unaware of the incident but were cooperative.
A few hours after the photo began circulating Facebook, Ramsey’s Towing posted the following statement:
Some reports state that the dog belongs to the tow truck driver and that he has claimed the dog loves it and rides on the truck bed all the time. This has not been officially confirmed by police.
For now, the tow driver has been fired from Ramsey’s Towing. Police continue to investigate and will make a determination about whether animal abuse charges will be filed.
In the state of Massachusetts, it is illegal to transport an animal in the bed of a truck. The law reads: No person shall transport an animal in the back of a motor vehicle in a space intended for a load on the vehicle on a public way unless such space is enclosed or has side and tail racks to a height of at least 46 inches extending vertically from the floor, the animal is cross tethered to the vehicle, the animal is protected by a secured container or cage or the animal is otherwise protected in a manner which will prevent the animal from being thrown or from falling or jumping from the vehicle.
