San Diego

Misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges were filed Tuesday against a Rancho Penasquitos woman who allegedly dragged a stray dog behind her car.

The two charges were filed against Victoria Manriquez, 42, by the district attorney’s office one week after a judge dismissed for lack of evidence a felony charge of cruelty to an animal.

An arraignment date of Aug. 27 was set for Manriquez, who faces a maximum sentence of six months in County Jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted. She or her attorney can appear in court for the arraignment any time before the scheduled date.

In dismissing the felony count, Municipal Judge Nicholas Kasimatis said there was insufficient evidence to prove Manriquez deliberately intended to cause suffering to the animal. Intent is necessary for a felony conviction, but doesn’t need to be established for a misdemeanor offense.

San Diego police arrested Manriquez on June 28 after neighbors reported seeing her drag a 5-year-old mixed-breed Australian shepherd behind her car earlier that day. The dog survived the incident, but suffered severe lacerations and abrasions.