Chelsea man charged with misdemeanor in 'Jetta' dog death case

ROGERS COUNTY, Okla. - The man who admitted to killing a Rogers County dog in September has been formally charged with a misdemeanor.

Rogers County District Attorney Janice Steidley filed a charge of improper disposal of a carcass against the man, which carries up to $500 and up to one year in county jail.

The Chelsea man turned himself in to the Rogers County Sheriff's Office two days after the dog's death, telling authorities he had put the dog down after she appeared on his property in pain.

The man also said he dragged the animal into a ditch, tying the dog's legs with wire attached to a trailer hitch.

There are no signs the dog was dragged while still alive, Steidley said in a press release.

News of Jetta's death quickly gained social media attention, even prompting former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer to pledge thousands of dollars in reward money.

Now Steidley is asking the public to "let the legal system work."

"Disposing of a carcass in this manner is illegal, and we are filing that charge," she said. "We have to have evidence to support any crime we charge a person with. Our burden we must meet is, 'beyond a reasonable doubt' and if we don't have the evidence to support the crime we cannot be successful at trial."