Animal Abuse: Dog thrown from moving car - New Salisbury, IN

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Case ID: 17589

Classification: Throwing

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Dog thrown from moving car
New Salisbury, IN (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Mar 18, 2011
County: Harrison

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available

Alleged: Maximina Sue Shelton

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A dog thrown from a moving car in Indiana is being closely watched by doctors over the weekend. Authorities hope someone may recognize the car, or dog.

"I was actually on the phone and I threw my phone down, and my mom's neighbor was pulling in, and I flagged him down," said Tiffany Crone, witness, "and I was taking off to get the dog and he ran out there and grabbed her."

Tiffany Crone was horrified at what she just witnessed Friday afternoon. "It appeared to me that they were trying to hit it intentionally because they opened the door threw the dog out and then did a u-turn and swerved at it and kept going," said Crone.

She and a neighbor rescued the cocker spaniel after she was thrown from a car on highway 135 in New Salisbury, Indiana Friday. They nurtured her until authorities arrived.

"Her name is Bambi," said Rebecca Eaves with Shamrock Foundation/Arrow Fund, "they had originally called her Sandy, she's got these big gorgeous eyes."

Bambi is now under close watch at LVSES in Louisville. She has 6 pelvic fractures, bruising, and is undergoing tests to check for more injuries. Those caring for the dog hope someone will recognize her face, and the car she was thrown out of. "It's a very distinct looking dog," said Eaves, "she's a buff and white cocker, and the car was a late model army green sedan carrying 2 or 3 men or boys."

Crone says the car looked like an 80s model, army green 4-door sedan with a matching vinyl top. "They sped back off into the town of New Salisbury, I think they're a local around here," said Crone.

Although she's in a lot of pain, those caring for her say she's a sweetie, and believe she will pull through. "She's beautiful and nobody's ever going to hurt her again," said Eaves.

If you have information, call the Harrison County Sheriff's office (812) 738-2195. The persons responsible could face charges of animal cruelty, criminal recklessness, and torturing an animal.

To help out with Bambi's medical expenses, [email protected]
(812) 738-2195

Case Updates

A Salem woman charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty for allegedly trying to abandon her family's cocker spaniel by heaving the dog from a car last month in New Salisbury pleaded innocent Monday in Harrison Superior Court.

During the hearing, the first for Maximina Sue Shelton, 56, of East Canton Road, Judge Roger Davis appointed public defender Anne Walsh to represent Shelton. He also set a pre-trial hearing for 1 p.m. July 20.

Harrison County Prosecutor Otto Schalk, who commented before Shelton's arrest that he believes Indiana's animal cruelty laws are weak, said Monday that he's received numerous phone calls, emails and even letters to his home, urging him to seek the maximum penalty for Shelton. The law allows up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine for someone convicted of such a misdemeanor.

"People are just wanting to see the maximum," Schalk said.

Publicity about the case and the six pelvic fractures suffered by the 1½-year-old tan-and-white dog nicknamed Bambi has prompted dozens of people to send donations to Shamrock Arrow Fund, the Louisville organization that is caring for her.

Source: mydesert.com - Apr 11, 2011
Update posted on Apr 14, 2011 - 4:55PM

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A 56-year-old Salem, Ind. woman has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty for allegedly throwing her family's cocker spaniel from a moving car March 18 in the northern Harrison County.

Maximina Sue Shelton of East Canton Road in Washington County was charged Thursday with a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Harrison County Prosecutor Otto Schalk said he expected to arrest Shelton late Thursday or early Friday. She will also be summoned for an initial hearing in Harrison Superior Court.

Attempts to contact Shelton in Salem were unsuccessful. A phone company recording said the family's latest listed number is no longer in service.

The incident outraged police and animal-rescue groups, and led dozens of concerned residents in Louisville and Southern Indiana to send donations to a Louisville organization which stepped up to care for the badly injured 1 ½-year-old tan and white female.

"The outpouring of support has been really appreciated," said Rebecca Eaves, director of the Shamrock Pet Foundation's Arrow Fund.

The fund used to collect donations to assist abused and neglected animals collected $4,600 in donations after news accounts of the case. The dog, nicknamed Bambi, is now rehabilitating at All Pets Veterinary Center on Dorsey Lane in eastern Louisville.

An eyewitness contacted police March 18 to report seeing a dog shoved out the rear window of a green passenger vehicle traveling north in the 9300 block of Ind. 135.

The witness, Tiffany Crone, an area business owner, told police that the vehicle slowed after the dog hit the ground and that the driver turned around and tried to swerve to hit the canine as it limped to the shoulder, down an embankment and into a field, according to a court records.

Crone placed the dog on a towel and called police.

The investigation by Harrison County patrolman Kerry Freeburg eventually led to Shelton, who filed a written statement and submitted to an interview Monday where authorities say she confessed to trying to abandon the dog her family had called Puddles.

Police said Shelton told them the dog previously had been injured and that they had decided to get rid of it.

The woman told investigators that her husband, Elmer, also was in the 1985 green Buick LeSabre, records said.

The dog was transferred from the Harrison County animal shelter to Louisville Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Services, where veterinarians discovered six pelvic fractures. The fund has spent more than $6,000 on the surgery and continuing care, Eaves said.

The image of the partially shaved dog in media reports led several people to inquire about adopting her, but she's still too fragile to walk on her own, and needs extensive rehabilitation, Eaves said.

"She's precious," she said. "It's like she knows we're helping her."

Despite the abuse, the dog is sweet and cooperative, Eaves said.

"Through all she's been through, she's never snipped or growled at anybody," she said.

Schalk said the case has shed light on Indiana's weak animal cruelty laws. Despite the seriousness of the alleged abuse, the law merited only a misdemeanor, instead of a felony charge punishable by more jail time and higher fines, he said.

Source: courier-journal.com - Mar 31, 2011
Update posted on Mar 31, 2011 - 11:01PM

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Dog thrown from moving carNew Salisbury, IN (US)

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Dog thrown from moving car
New Salisbury, IN (US)