Awards Issued To Those Who Saved Dogs Thrown From Moving SUV

Awards will be given to the truck driver Adam and the NYS Police who rescued the dogs that were thrown out of a moving SUV on I-81 last week.

PETA is honoring the rescuers of Trooper and Adam for saving two dogs who were thrown from a moving vehicle on I-81 in Cortland County on the morning of December 12. PETA is sending a Compassionate Police Department Award to New York State Police–Troop C and a Compassionate Action Award to a truck driver who wishes to remain anonymous.

PETA is also offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty-to-animals charges of the person(s) responsible for throwing the dogs onto the highway.

This is Trooper:

According to the humane society, Trooper has numerous injuries including two fractured legs, broken ribs, a lung contusion and is currently at Colonial Animal Hospital in Ithaca. After X-rays and seeing an orthopedic specialist he had surgery in an attempt to keep both legs, but due to the extent of his injuries, only one could be saved.

NYS Police say a tractor-trailer driver from Syracuse saw the dogs thrown from a dark-colored SUV that he was behind at around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The driver stopped on the left side of the road to rescue the dogs and contact authorities. He then used his sweatshirt comfort the severely injured dog until NYS Police arrived.

Here is Adam:

"One kind motorist and a few compassionate state troopers stood between these little dogs and further terror and injury on the highway," says PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien. "PETA hopes their kindness and quick action will inspire others to come to the aid of animals in need—and urges anyone with information about whoever threw these dogs out like litter to come forward immediately."

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"—is sending the truck driver and the state troopers framed certificates and boxes of delicious vegan cookies.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the New York State Police in Homer at 607-749-1614.