Dog Thrown From Balcony In Baltimore County Recovering From Injuries
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (WJZ)-- Neighbors near Reisterstown call police after someone witnesses something being thrown from a balcony. It turns out to be a Yorkshire Terrier.
Mike Schuh reports the dog barely survived.
Police were called to the townhouses near I-795.
"A neighbor there reported that she saw a man launch an object from a balcony," Elise Armacost, spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Police Department, said.
"She heard the object land with a thud and when she went over she found that it was a small dog," Armacost said.
The dog's name is Louie. He's a 3-year-old Yorkshire Terrier.
When police arrived, Gary Wallace, Jr. told them the dog fell. But police say Louie was intentionally thrown.
"Yeah, he's definitely a lucky guy," said Dr. Justin Milizio of Baltimore County Animal Control.
Louie lived. His eye is bruised and red, teeth are missing. He was in a lot of pain, but Louie lived.
"I think if it had been a few feet more, he would have expired due to the head trauma and the spine trauma he endured," Milizio explained. "But yes, he was very, very lucky."
Lucky, too, he was found and taken to a pet emergency room. He's now on two painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications.
Gary Wallace? He was arrested on the spot and has been charged with animal cruelty.
Nationally known animal abuse expert, Dr. Randall Lockwood, can't talk about this specific case, but in general about animal abusers.
"[They] are often about power and control," Dr. Lockwood of the ASPCA said. "Someone who feels they don't have enough control, enough power. It's get control or maintain control in a relationship."
As for Louie....
"He's not in pain right now. He's not uncomfortable either," Milizio said.
But had a sharp-eyed neighbor not seen and heard what she did, Louie probably would have died.
The man who allegedly threw Louie off the balcony is not his owner. The owner has not called animal control. But if she does, she must pay around $600 in fees for previous infractions first. So it's possible that someday Louie will be up for adoption.
Gary Wallace Jr. remains in jail held on $250,000 bond.
