JAY, Okla. – An Arkansas man was held over for trial on a charge of attempted animal cruelty, for throwing a dog out of a vehicle during a police chase.

David Thomas Surface, 39, of Lowell, Arkansas appeared in Delaware County District Court in Jay, Oklahoma for a preliminary hearing on charges of cruelty to animals and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Travis Sheppard with the Noel Marshals office testified during the 30-minute hearing.

Sheppard says he stopped Surface back in April in McDonald County for incorrect plates on his vehicle. During the traffic stop, a female passenger got out of the car and Surface took off at a high rate of speed, according to the arrest affidavit.

The chase continued into Delaware County and that’s when police say Surface threw the dog out of the vehicle while he was going nearly 50 mph.

After he was cornered, Surface tried to run away from officers on foot. When he was caught, he told officers he had a weapon in his pocket. Officers say Surface did have a fully loaded 9mm pistol, along with drugs and drug paraphernalia when they took him into custody.

Surface confessed to swallowing “a bunch of meth” during the pursuit according to the affidavit. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper said he had to administer medical aid to Surface, to reverse the effects of the methamphetamine he swallowed. Surface is set to return to court on Nov. 8 for arraignment.