EL PASO COUNTY — The El Paso County Sheriff's office said they are investigating reports of several puppies being thrown from a moving car on Highway 24 near Calhan. News 5 spoke with a couple who said they saw the whole thing, and called 911 after moving two of the puppies off the road.
Morgan Dillingham and Garrett Ross said they were driving to work in Colorado Springs from Calhan on a foggy Friday morning, when they saw a car throw six puppies onto Highway 24 between Soap Weed and Fairplay roads.
The two said they immediately stopped their car, and watched as two of the six puppies were struck by a different car headed eastbound. Dillingham said she got out of the car, and ran over to one of the puppies which was still moving. Both Dillingham and Ross grabbed a puppy and took them to the side of the road, while they said other cars were driving by and honking or making obscene gestures at them.
They said they stayed with the dogs until they died, but while they were helping those two, the other four must have ran away. "It keeps playing over and over and over again in my head," said Ross.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office reported at least one dog died after being hit by a car.
The two believe this incident was not an accident, and want justice for the puppies. They have a dog of their own, and said watching this unfold made them think of him. "That's exactly why I stopped and why I was trying to protect them, because they weren't mine, but I saw my dog in them," said Dillingham.
Ross said he believes a search party went looking for the remaining four dogs, but has not heard that any were found. They both hope the person or people responsible for this tragedy comes forward.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said a witness gave a description of a white SUV, and they are following up on multiple leads. If you know anything about this incident, contact the Sheriff's Office tip line at (719)520-6666.
Previous Reporting:
Sheriff's Office investigating report of animal abuse in El Paso County
