safety
‘I cried myself to sleep’: Nashville witness pursues driver who dragged dog down roadway
By Jordan James at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Metro Nashville Police are investigating an animal cruelty case after a dog was dragged along Old Hickory Boulevard near Whites Creek Tuesday afternoon. The dog survived and is recovering with lacerations and bruises.Pamela Butts witnessed the incident and said a leash w...
Key takeaway Pamela Butts witnessed the incident and said a leash was hanging from the rear passenger window of a black Ford Explorer with the dog attached.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The disturbing incident on Old Hickory Boulevard near Whites Creek raises concerns about animal welfare and public safety in Nashville. Pamela Butts' decision to pursue the driver, despite being instructed to stop, highlights the strong emotional response such a incident can evoke. The fact that the driver was able to run a red light and nearly cause an accident without being immediately apprehended also points to potential gaps in traffic enforcement. As Metro Nashville Police continue to investigate and search for the driver, the community is left to grapple with the consequences of animal abandonment and cruelty. Butts' plea to consider alternatives to abandonment, such as taking animals to a shelter or posting on social media, resonates with local efforts to promote animal adoption and responsible pet ownership. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, particularly if Butts is able to adopt the dog, which could bring some measure of closure to this disturbing incident.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Metro Nashville Police are investigating an animal cruelty case after a dog was dragged along Old Hickory Boulevard near Whites Creek Tuesday afternoon. The dog survived and is recovering with lacerations and bruises.Pamela Butts witnessed the incident and said a leash w...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jordan James at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter