Man accused of dragging dog in Knoxville claims indigence, accident

A man accused of dragging a dog in Knoxville told the judge in court that he needs a court-appointed attorney and told reporters outside that he didn't mean for it to happen.

"It was an accident, and I'm sorry it happened," Jimmy Lovell said.

Lovell, whose nickname is "Dog," was arraigned in court Friday on a felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals.

In court, Lovell told the judge he lacked the money to acquire his own lawyer and would need one appointed, saying he was unemployed and collecting Social Security. Lovell is to contact the public defender's office to get counsel.

After exiting the court, he told assembled reporters the incident was an accident. When asked how the incident was an accident, he did not respond but continued his exit from the City County building.

As a condition of his bond, Lovell is not to possess any animals whatsoever. He previously surrendered his rights to the dog involved in the incident.

Back on November 3, police say Lovell drove a truck down Liberty Street dragging a 17-pound dog behind him.

He stopped only after a crowd of people flagged him down. Those witnesses say he yanked the dog out of the street and threw him into his truck and drove away.

Lovell's sister told a different story Friday afternoon. She defended her brother, saying the dog belonged to Lovell's ex-girlfriend.

She says that ex had only had the dog for two days, and Lovell did not realize the dog was still tied to the back of his truck until he was flagged down that afternoon.

She says he put the dog in the truck and drove him home. From there, she says the ex-girlfriend told him she was taking the dog to the vet.

Instead, the dog was later found abandoned on Sutherland Avenue.

The dog is now recovering at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Patricia Sura says the so-called Little Brown Dog is healing well, although part of the bone is still showing on one hind leg, and skin grafts are most likely in the dog's future.

"Infection is still a concern, but right now, if she keeps trucking the way she is, hopefully, in two weeks or so, this whole ordeal will be behind her, and that'll be great."

The students at the vet school have taken to fashioning her bandages into costumes, which have included Wonder Woman, a watermelon slice and a Care Bear.

The cost of her recovery is expected to near $7,500, but already, more than $8,500 in donations and support have poured in from across the country and beyond.

Vet school officials say any leftover funds will go toward a fund to help care for animals or an animal abuse prevention program.

"I think, hopefully, she's going to live a full, long, healthy, happy life," Dr. Sura said. "It's a small success really in the grand scheme of the things in the world today, but for us, it's just, we couldn't be happier."

At last check, the dog Lovell is accused of dragging, known at this point as Little Brown Dog, is still improving and is now able to stand on her own for short periods of time. She is also receiving less pain medication than before and seems to be in good spirits.