Bollinger County authorities awaiting autopsy results in pit bull case

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Officials in Bollinger County are still waiting on autopsy results to pursue charges against a suspect who allegedly dragged and burned a pit bull in October.

Sheriff Leo McElrath said Wednesday he is not sure when to expect the results to come in and that nothing new has broken in the investigation. McElrath said last month that he has a primary suspect he is waiting to arrest but needs the autopsy results and the prosecuting attorney's blessing.

"These kind of things take a lot of time, I guess," McElrath said.

A driver on County Road 318 near Marble Hill spotted the dog's charred body and notified authorities Oct. 21.

When deputies went to investigate, they found the dog tied to a fence. The animal's left side had been burned, and mud and gravel were embedded in the right side, according to the incident report. The dog's right hind leg was also broken, and evidence of dragging was found on the road.

The dog's body was sent to Florida for an autopsy, which will reveal the animal's sex, breed, color, age and cause of death. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is funding the autopsy.

The results will determine the charges levied against a suspect, Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray said last month.

Pertinent address:

County Road 318, Marble Hill, MO