Puppy thrown from car
Quakertown, PA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2003
County: Bucks
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged:
» Candace L. Cameron
» William E. Plunkett
Two area residents could be learning a lesson about Freedom this week - don't toss her out the window. Candace L. Cameron, of Milford, and her boyfriend, William E. Plunkett, of Langhorne, are accused of throwing her 3-month-old dog, Freedom, out of a moving car.
Police Sgt. Larry Cerami said witnesses told police the mixed-breed puppy was pushed out of a speeding car's window on Station Road near the Quakertown Farmers Market on May 6.
An oncoming truck then ran over Freedom - the dog went between the wheels - before being rescued, Cerami said.
"It's a lucky dog," he said. "I might have to take the dog home with me for some of that luck to rub off."
Freedom's luck didn't run out there. News of the dog's plight brought in a series of tips, Cerami said, which led police to Cameron and Plunkett.
"You don't generally get a ton of help from the public," he said. "But when it's something people are passionate about, you get calls. And people are passionate about their dogs."
When questioned, the couple aroused even more suspicion, he said. "Quite frankly, what they were telling us wasn't adding up," he said. "Their stories changed."
He said the motivation for the puppy-tossing is still unclear.
The two were charged Monday with cruelty to animals, transporting animals in a cruel manner and confinement of dogs. Cameron is also facing an additional charge for having an unlicensed dog.
If convicted of the summary offenses, Cameron and Plunkett could each pay fines of as much as $750 and face jail terms of up to 90 days.
Cameron and Plunkett have unlisted phone numbers and could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Cerami said Cameron had relinquished ownership of Freedom, who is now being cared for at the Bucks County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Lahaska.
Anne Irwin, the SPCA's executive director, said that makes it easier to place the Rottweiler-shepherd mix in a new home.
"She's doing fine," Irwin said. "You kind of expect that an animal who's been through something like this would be whimpering or cowering in the corner.
"But she looks like she owns the place. She's wagging her tail, she has her bed, she has toys."
She added that "many, many" people have called looking to adopt the puppy, and that she expected Freedom will have a new home this week. References |
