At a glance

Location
Washington Park, Illinois
Story type
Animal cruelty court case
Sources reviewed
2

Tracy McKee was sentenced to 10 years in prison on September 15 in the case involving Trek, a Rottweiler who died after being dragged and abandoned in Washington Park, Illinois. FOX 2 reported the sentence, citing a spokesperson for the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.

McKee was convicted of animal torture, aggravated animal cruelty and animal cruelty. The sentence is a new outcome in the existing case, rather than a new incident involving another dog.

From the June incident to the September sentence

The Belleville News Democrat dates the police response to June 10 and the jury’s guilty verdict to August 4. Police found the dog alive but in distress along Bunkum Road. Gateway Pet Guardians named him Trek and helped fund emergency veterinary care, according to the newspaper.

FOX 2 reports that prosecutors said McKee had left the dog outdoors for hours in temperatures in the 90s. Police said he then drove with the dog chained to an SUV and left him in a gravel lot.

The News Democrat reports that veterinary staff euthanized Trek the following morning after his condition worsened. McKee had maintained that he believed the dog was already dead when he dragged him.

What the court imposed

According to the News Democrat, Circuit Judge John O’Gara denied McKee’s request for a new trial and imposed the prison term. The report says he must serve at least five years, followed by six months of mandatory supervised release, with credit for time already served.

That minimum does not mean the court imposed a five year sentence, and it does not establish a calendar release date. Buddylio has not obtained the written sentencing order.

Sources

On the sourcing: Two newsrooms independently reported the sentence; both linked reports are syndicated by AOL. Buddylio did not attend the proceedings.

How we reported this: Buddylio reviewed the named sources, checked the organizations and figures shown above, and added context for animal lovers. Any illustration is labeled and does not depict the actual animals or scene. McKee has been convicted and sentenced. The sentencing details above are attributed to the reviewed local reporting. Articles are editorial content, not veterinary advice.