Charges filed in alleged animal cruelty case stemming from viral highway video: Report

A 37-year-old Gary man, Erik McClinton, has been charged with animal cruelty after a video surfaced showing a dog being transported in a wire kennel on an open utility trailer on Interstate 80 in freezing temperatures. McClinton allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle, claiming he placed the dog, Midnight, on the trailer because his car was full of puppies. He said he initially covered the kennel with a blanket, but it may have blown off while driving at approximately 70 mph, reported NWI.com.

The video, livestreamed on Facebook, showed the cage unsecured and the dog exposed to the elements. Investigators traced the vehicle to McClinton and visited his residence, where they found a dog resembling Midnight roaming freely without supervision. Midnight was taken to the Hobart Humane Society, where police noted signs of malnourishment, a scabbed-over injury on his ear, and a blood spot on his head.

Midnight is now under the care of Gary Animal Control. A warrant has been issued for McClinton’s arrest, and authorities have requested that he turn himself in.