Dog flung off bridge is saved

Police open case to find suspects

TEXARKANA, Texas — A dog thrown off the North State Line Avenue overpass Friday is being treated by a veterinarian for a broken leg and bruised lungs.

The dog, a female pit mix who is about 4 years old, has been taken by the Atlanta, Texas, Area Spay/Neuter Project.

“She needs surgery, but she has to wait a few days. She needs pins and plates in one leg because it’s badly broken. Her lungs are bruised. Her body is just bruised,” said Michelle Ciomperlik with the rescue. “We named her Miracle.”

Miracle is on antibiotics and will stay at the vet’s office until she can have surgery.

The Texarkana, Texas Police Department received a call about 4:25 p.m. Friday reporting that two people had just thrown a dog from the overpass on I-30. The dog was found lying in the outside lane of eastbound Interstate 30, said Shawn Vaughn, spokesman for TTPD.

“It was clearly injured, and traffic was passing within a few feet of it,” he said.

TTPD officers provided traffic control “to protect it as best we could,” until Texarkana animal control officers arrived, Vaughn said.

Miracle allowed animal control officers to pick her up.

Her temperament has been good despite what happened to her.

“She is a very sweet dog. She has never made a single growl,” Ciomperlik said. “It’s like she is grateful for everyone helping her.”

Police are searching for the people who threw the dog off the bridge.

“The only description we have is, they were Caucasian and one was wearing a yellow raincoat. They left on foot,” Vaughn said.

Officers searched the area but were unable to find the suspects, Vaughn said. An animal cruelty case is open with a detective assigned to it, Vaughn said.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call 911 or TTPD at (903) 798-3116.

Anyone wanting to donate to Miracle’s care can do so at the PayPal account donatetoatasnp@gmail.com or call Ciomperlik at 469-241-0000.

Miracle’s vet bill is estimated to be between $2,000 and $3,000.

“It’s a tragic situation, and I can’t even imagine who would do this,” Ciomperlik said. “There is too much of this going on with animals. They are not trash.”