ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) — Charges have been filed in the case of the puppy that was dragged behind a pick-up on interstate 55 just before Thanksgiving.

41-year-old Benetta Johnson of East St. Louis is charged with misdemeanor animal abuse.

• Dragged Puppy Will Survive

Investigators say Johnson gave the dog to her son to return to her ex-husband. The 13-year-old then tied the dog, now named trooper, to the back of the truck without her ex-husband’s knowledge.

Humane Society President Kathy Warnick says the society is exceptionally elated that the person responsible for the “heinous, heinous act” has been charged.

Warnick says the break came when the society’s animal cruelty task force uncovered the surveillance video of “Trooper” being tied to the back of the truck.

“We spend hours, literately hours pouring over every minute of that video to determine exactly what transpired,” Warnick said.

Investigators says thanks to the video they know that Johnson had her son return the puppy to her ex-husband late the night of November 20th. The 13-year-old left it tied to the truck and the driver didn’t see it when he went to work the next morning.