Dog Tossed from Moving Car Actually Jumped, Investigation Reveals

The reported last week that a Good Samaritan witnessed a near Harrah's Casino in Chester. Now, after a thorough investigation by the Delaware County SPCA Humane Investigator, it has been confirmed that the Westie-Poodle mix, dubbed Raggedy Ann, jumped from her owner's moving car and was not thrown.

Raggedy Ann was found near the Highland Avenue exit on-ramp to I-95 North in Chester on Aug. 8 by witness and rescuer, Mary Alice Pleninger.

According to the SPCA, after ride-alongs at the scene of the incident with both the dog's owner and Pleninger, Bill Vernon, Delaware County SPCA’s veteran humane society police officer determined that the dog, whose name is actually April, was in a door-less carrier in the back driver’s side seat next to an open window and leapt out of the four-door car unbeknownst to her owner until minutes later when the owner looked back to determine April was no longer in the car.

According to the SPCA, Pleninger admitted to Vernon on Monday that while she saw the dog’s head and then body come out of the back driver’s side window, she never in fact saw a hand push the dog, retracting earlier reports that she did.

The dog's owner, extremely distraught, searched neighboring communities for the dog last Wednesday, which Vernon confirmed by visiting those communities and speaking to residents who witnessed a distraught owner searching for her dog.

According to Vernon, “We (the Delaware County SPCA) lack the mental intent to press charges.”

April will be returned to her owner this week.

Prior to returning April to her owner, the Delaware County SPCA Canine Care Manager will educate the owner at length about proper care of a small dog, including grooming. The Delco SPCA Vet Department will also spay April and the SPCA will repair April’s owner’s pet carrier to ensure April rides safely and securely while in the car.

The Delaware County SPCA appreciates the outpouring of support and concern for “Raggedy Ann.”

Led by Vernon’s 20-plus years investigating animal cruelty, the SPCA said it is confident and comfortable in the decision to return April to her owner and asked that the community accept this misunderstanding and near-tragic accident that, luckily, has a happy ending.
 
The Delaware County SPCA is grateful to Pleninger for ensuring the dog’s initial safety.
 
The dog owner’s identity will not be revealed.

This press release was provided by the Delaware County SPCA.