Deschutes County District Attorney Patrick Flaherty will not file criminal charges against the owners of Chance, a pit bull terrier that sustained life-threatening injuries after being dragged by a car in July, according to a statement Friday afternoon.

“Experienced deputies and detectives worked on this investigation and I agree with their conclusion that this was a tragic accident and not a criminal act,” Flaherty wrote.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s investigation revealed three people did not call the police after seeing the dog dragged outside of the car.

“I would like to remind our community to please call law enforcement when they witness a crime or suspected crime,” Flaherty wrote.

Flaherty did not return a call seeking further comment Friday afternoon. His chief deputy, Mary Anderson, said she would not reveal additional information about the witnesses.

The incident was first reported July 25, when Chance was discovered by a passing motorist on Smith Rock Road near Terrebonne. The next day, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department stated the dog was not dragged behind a vehicle, but rather he jumped out of an open window. The driver, who was not the dog’s owner, did not realize Chance had jumped out.

Anderson said that after reviewing the incident, the DA’s office now believes the dog was on a long leash or a rope fashioned as a leash when he jumped out of the window. The leash apparently was caught in the car for a duration, dragging the dog until he came free on the side of the road. He lay there for as long as 36 hours before he was discovered.

BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond treated the dog’s injuries and accepted up to $5,000 in donations to continue Chance’s treatment and surgery.

“The event was traumatic and painful for the dog,” Anderson said. “It could have potentially been avoided if someone called it in.”