Dog injured when tossed from moving car, run over in Chicopee

The T.J. O’Connor Animal Shelter is treating a year-old male Schnauzer-terrier mix that was injured when tossed from a car in Chicopee. (Submitted photo)

By Patrick Johnson | pjohnson@repub.com:

CHICOPEE — A small dog that was tossed from a moving car and run over Wednesday morning is being treated for injuries after another motorist rescued the dog and brought him to the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Adoption and Control Center for emergency care.

“He just scooped him off the street and brought him in,” said Dr. Lauren Atkins, a veterinarian with the facility.

The dog, a year-old, unneutered male schnauzer-terrier mix, appeared to suffer a broken leg. He weighs about 7 pounds.

The dog was given fluids and medication to control the pain, she said.

Atkins said the dog is considered in stable condition and remains under watch at the O’Connor facility.

“The next 24 to 48 hours are critical,” she said. The dog could have suffered internal bleeding, bruised lungs or other internal injuries that were not apparent in the initial examination. He is scheduled to go for X-rays on Thursday, she said.

“All things considering, he’s pretty lucky,” she said. “There’s no head trauma or broken spine. In the grand scheme of things, he’s lucky.”

The good Samaritan who brought the dog to the shelter told staff that he was driving on Carew Street near East Street, just over the line from Springfield, when he saw the dog come sailing out the window. He landed on the road and was struck by one of the rear tires, Atkins said.

The man told staff he was not sure if the dog was run over deliberately, but said there is no question that he was thrown out of the car on purpose, Atkins said.

The Law Enforcement arm of the MSPCA has been contacted and has started an investigation, she said.

The car was described as a black Nissan Maxima.

In Massachusetts, the punishment for extreme animal cruelty is up to five years in a state prison, 2½ years in a county jail or a fine of up to $2,500.

If the dog recovers from his injuries, the O’Connor facility will put him up for adoption after holding onto him for seven days, which is the protocol, she said. The waiting period allows staff to gauge the dog’s temperament to determine the most suitable environment for him.

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