An Illinois man has received the maximum 10-year prison sentence for the torture and death of Trek, a dog who was dragged behind a vehicle and abandoned.

A jury convicted Tracy McKee of animal torture, aggravated animal cruelty and animal cruelty.

He will spend at least five years of his 10-year sentence in an Illinois prison.

McKee left Trek outside in extreme heat, chained him to an SUV, and drove away while the dog was still alive before abandoning him in a vacant lot.

People who found Trek rushed him for emergency veterinary care, but his injuries were too severe. 

He died the following morning.

The sentence cannot undo what happened to Trek, but it holds his abuser accountable and shows that severe cruelty can lead to serious consequences.

Trek’s case is a reminder that animals who suffer abuse need more than rescue. 

They need protection before cruelty happens.

One way to protect animals on a much larger scale is to prevent the births that add to the growing population of homeless dogs and cats.

The world's 600 million stray dogs and 87 million stray cats give birth to over 1 billion homeless puppies and kittens every year.

Tragically, those who survive, also reproduce and give birth to another generation of homeless strays - thus repeating the cycle of suffering, every year.

This is why our mission is to end the #1 cause of suffering and death for dogs and cats — overpopulation — by developing a Cookie that will only need to be eaten one time, and it will, in effect, spay or neuter — without surgery.

While we work toward that future, dogs and cats who are suffering right now still need help.

A $25 one-time gift can treat infections and parasites suffered by 2 dogs and 2 cats, including mange, ringworm, and infected wounds.

A $50 monthly gift can provide emergency care, including pain relief, X-rays, IV fluids, and antibiotics for a dog or cat hit by a car.

A $100 one-time gift can feed a litter of 6 puppies or kittens for 3 months with special formula, food, and heating pads until they become independent.

Thank you for caring about animals and helping provide the protection, treatment, and prevention they need.

Sources:

[1] BND

[2] AOL