Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Dwayne Morrow arrested a Splendora man Thursday evening for dragging a friend’s donkey behind his SUV with a rope and leaving it severely injured on the roadside.

Marc Richard Saunders, 30, of Splendora is charged with state jail felony Animal Cruelty.

Saunders went to visit a friend in New Caney around lunchtime and arrived around the time someone called saying they found the family’s pet donkey around the corner. Another friend of the family was already on location and the pair went to where “Suzy Q” was tied to a post on Pine Street. The other man planned to walk the donkey home, but Saunders insisted on tying the donkey to his trailer hitch, saying he would drive slowly. The second man sat on the open tailgate of the SUV as they headed home. At first, the man said Saunders drove slowly and Suzy Q cooperated. However, he sped up a little and the donkey sat down, stiffening her front legs to try and stop. The man on the tailgate said he yelled and pleaded with Saunders to stop, but Saunders sped up a bit more and the donkey fell over. The man continued to yell and try to stop Saunders who drove approximately 10 to 15 feet more before stopping. Saunders walked to the rear of the vehicle and saw the bloody donkey, whose hooves were ground 1.5 to 2 inches, exposing flesh and bone. He unhooked the rope and fled.

Someone later reported seeing the donkey on the side of the road, believing she was struck by a vehicle. Deputy Morrow’s investigation soon revealed the truth and he found Saunders and took him into custody.

A veterinarian went to the scene and treated the injured donkey that was dragged home on a makeshift sled, unable to walk. The vet could not immediately say whether she would recover from the injuries.

VIDEO WILL BE POSTED LATER THIS EVENING