Sign: Horse Named Domingo Dragged Behind Truck On His Knees: Enduring Unimaginable Suffering Before Being Euthanized

Published: June 22, 2026 at 05:32 PM Author: Lead Investigative Writer

Clatskanie, Oregon – On June 2, a horse named Domingo was dragged behind a truck driven by 67-year-old Jo Marie Westlind. What happened to Domingo is like something out of a nightmarish horror movie. According to a neighbor, Domingo was tethered to the back of a Ford F-150 truck, and Westlind was pulling him as he screamed in pain while being dragged up and down a driveway. In court documents, the neighbor described seeing the horse’s front leg trapped in the rope it was tethered to, being dragged on its knees, and “squealing” in pain.

The horrified neighbor attempted to stop the abuse, but Westlind allegedly stopped just long enough to tell him to “mind his business” before carrying on.

Truck that Domingo was tethered to.The dragging left Domingo with gruesome injuries, including hooves that were “ground down into the flesh.” Domingo’s body was ravaged in the dragging incident, but Westlind did not take him to a veterinarian for over a week.

During that time, he undoubtedly suffered unimaginable pain from his injuries – injuries that were severe enough that the veterinarian decided the only option was to put him out of his misery.

Thanks to the veterinarian contacting the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office with a statement and photos showing Domingo’s severe injuries, Westlind was arrested on multiple counts of animal cruelty and booked into the Columbia County Jail. It’s our understanding Columbia County Animal Services has also worked on the case extensively.

This was a sickening act of cruelty that resulted in immense suffering to Domingo. Jo Marie Westlind intentionally tethered this horse to the back of her truck and dragged him until he suffered unsurvivable injuries. Please add your name to the petition to hold this woman accountable for what she did to this innocent horse.

Decision Maker: Columbia County District Attorney Joshua Pond

Why This Petition Matters

Domingo suffered and died because of Jo Marie Westlind’s actions. This horse had no way to break free of the tether that bound him to the Ford truck that Westlind was driving. He struggled to keep up and screamed in pain, but she kept going. After the dragging ended, Westlind left Domingo to suffer for more than a week with injuries so severe that he had to be humanely euthanized. We demand that Jo Marie Westlind face the full weight of the law at sentencing. This was a despicable act of cruelty that absolutely must not go unpunished.

Note: Defendant Jo Marie Westlind, Case #26CR32464, was arraigned on 06/16/2026 before Judge Nickolas Brajcich. Westlind pled not guilty to all charges. Her arraignment and indictment are scheduled for 07/06/2026 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Denise E. Keppinger.

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Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

Update 10/13/2026: No update on the defense’s motion for “Return of Things Seized.” Pretrial hearing remains scheduled for November 25, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Michael T. Clarke.

Update 9/29/2026: Defendant Jo Marie Westlind, Case #26CR32464 – 10/12/2026 Decision on Motion regarding, Return of Things Seized, at 3:30 p.m. P.S.T. before Judge Michael T. Clarke. Pre-trial conference scheduled for 11.25.2026 before Judge Michael T. Clarke at 9:00 a.m.

Update: Defendant Jo Marie Westlind, Case #26CR32464. Pre-trial conference scheduled for 09/02/2026 before Judge Nickolas Brajcich.