Dog Falls From Highway 4 Overpass, May Have Been Thrown

MARTINEZ - A dog suffered injuries to its legs when it was allegedly thrown off a state Highway 4 overpass in the Brentwood area on Saturday, according to Contra Costa County Animal Services.

Spokesman Steve Burdo said the dog, an Australian Shepherd about 1 year old, is in stable condition but suffered a fractured femur that requires surgery.

Burdo said it was reported Saturday that a dog may have been thrown off a highway either in Antioch or Brentwood, possibly on the Sand Creek Road overpass. None of the witnesses have been able to verify that the dog was tossed off the highway since all of them only observed the dog’s fall, Burdo said.

One woman at the scene brought the dog to East Bay Veterinary Emergency in Antioch, where an initial assessment was done. The dog was then transferred to the county’s Animal Services department in Martinez on Monday.

The dog has a separated front paw as well as a fractured femur in her back right leg, Burdo said. He said the people who helped the dog at the scene have organized a fund to cover the cost of surgery, which will be performed by an outside partner of Animal Services.

Burdo also said it appears, as of this morning, that an owner may be stepping forward.

According to a service that registers lost dogs, the Australian Shepherd may have been missing since Christmas Eve.

An interview will be conducted prior to the dog being claimed by the potential owner, Burdo said.

Burdo added that field officers are still investigating whether the dog was thrown off the highway.

“And, to the extent that it’s possible, they’ll be trying to find out who was responsible for it,” Burdo said.

-Bay City News, image courtesy Contra Costa County Animal Services