Pet owner faces cruelty charges after dog found in trash bin

By Jasmine Huda

KSDK -- A woman from Cahokia faces animal cruelty charges a week after her dog was found in a trash bin.

Last week, a sanitation worker found Tommy, a pit bull, believed to be about one year old.

More troubling to investigators is the nature of Tommy's injuries. The Cahokia Police Department said a cord was found embedded in Tommy's neck.

"The vet estimated that the chain had been in there for at least a month, or better, because the chain, the skin had grown up over the chain," Metro East Humane Society Investigator Bob Golding said.

Tommy's owner, Tracia Johnson, 34, faces misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and violation of animal owner's duties, the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

Hope Rescues, a rescue group in Alton, is now caring for Tommy. Co-founder Jackie Spiker said Tommy's case is one that is severe, but sadly, not unusual.

"I see it all the time. You can drive anywhere and see dogs on the backyards on chains. And all they do is go on circles on that chain, and try to get free," she said. "As long as we consider pets to be property, you can't expect people to treat them any better.

Spiker said Tommy is now getting the attention and love he deserves.

"He's been groomed. He's been playing with other dogs, and getting lots of people attention," Spiker said. 

Even a group of colleges students are pitching in for Tommy.

"Just his vet bills and anything they need to get for him," Mike Swallow, a student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, said.

Johnson is being held at the St. Clair County Jail.