Dog Fell From Overpass, Wasn’t Thrown

The case of the “thrown” dog has been solved.

Authorities said Tuesday a male German shepherd mix who appeared to have been tossed off a Ventura Freeway overpass July 21 actually fell accidentally into traffic after being struck by a car on the bridge.

William, as he was named by animal shelter employees, suffered two broken legs and cuts and scrapes and is recovering at a pet rescue facility in Simi Valley, authorities said.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Webb, witnesses said two teenage boys were standing on the Rice Avenue overpass near the dog when the incident occurred, prompting authorities to believe they were searching for two suspects.

Instead, officers questioned residents in the area and found a woman, Maria Hartman, who said she accidentally hit the dog and then saw it scamper from underneath her car and dive off the bridge.

The boys were standing nearby but could do nothing to stop it from jumping, Webb said. The boys said they didn’t come forward because they feared getting in trouble. The family of one of the boys owns the dog.

It was unclear if the dog, whose given name is Bon Bon, would be returned to the Oxnard family that owns it.