November 24, 2023 11:10 a.m. 

Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office jailed a transient following a reported animal abuse incident Thursday night.

A DCSO report said at about 10:25 p.m. 28-year old Dillon McSperitt showed up in the 9000 block of Old Highway 99 South in the Dillard Area while the victims were sitting in their truck. McSperitt allegedly opened the truck door, grabbed a female and tried talking to the juvenile victims. A man in the vehicle confronted McSperitt with a flashlight. The men fought in the street and the motorist hit McSperitt with the flashlight multiple times.

McSperitt allegedly pulled out a knife and the driver thought he was going to be stabbed. The man’s German Shepard came to try and protect the driver, but was reportedly stabbed by McSperitt. The dog was still alive and was later taken to a Springfield ER veterinarian.

McSperitt ran from the scene but was later located and taken into custody. He was charged with first-degree animal abuse, menacing, harassment and a restraining order violation. McSperitt was detained on $5,000 bail.