Reward Offered to Locate People Who Threw Dogs From Vehicle on I81

New York State Police say the Animal Legal Defense Fund, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the New York State Humane Association and a private contributor are offering a reward of $16,500 for information leading to the conviction of the people responsible for throwing two dogs out of a moving vehicle on Interstate 81 in Marathon December 12.

The Cortland County SPCA has now also joined the investigation.

The two beagle mix dogs are being cared for at an animal hospital in Ithaca and the B.C. Humane Society in Binghamton.

At around 9:30 a.m. December 12, a truck driver saw someone in an older model blue Dodge Durango roll down a rear passenger window and throw the dogs out of the moving vehicle on I81 South near the Cortland/ Broome County border.

The truck driver from Syracuse pulled over to the median and ran to rescue the dogs.

Troopers noticing the truck pulled over stopped to investigate and found the driver carrying one badly injured dog with the second beagle-mix following him.

The more seriously injured dog, now named "Trooper" by rescuers, had his right front leg amputated and the other front leg is in a cast.  He is learning to walk and is said to be recovering at the animal hospital.

The other canine, named "Adam" after the truck driver, suffered lesser injuries and is doing well at the Humane Society facilities in Binghamton.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call the State Police in Homer at (607) 749-1614.  Inquiries about assisting in paying for the care of the dogs or about adoption can be made to the B.C. Humane Society at (607) 724-3709.