West Columbia man charged with ill treatment, abandonment of animals after allegedly dragging dog along Lexington County highway

LEXINGTON, S.C. – Lexington County deputies arrested a man with multiple warrants from Lexington County Animal Services for the ill treatment and abandonment of animals.

Justin Keith Allred, 32, of West Columbia was arrested on March 9 in connection with an animal cruelty incident that was reported in early January.

According to arrest warrants from LCAS, a dog was on a leash when it was pushed out of a car that was traveling along South Lake Drive. When the dog was pushed out of the car, the leash became stuck in the door. The dog was dragged approximately one-quarter of a mile by the car, according to witnesses. Then the dog was abandoned on the highway at the intersection of South Lake Drive and Platt Springs Road and the car drove away.

The dog sustained multiple injuries but has since made a full recovery.

Allred was identified during the investigation and warrants were issued for his arrest. Allred was arrested in the West Columbia area by Lexington County deputies after they identified him while responding to a separate incident.

Allred is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.