Dog Severely Injured After Apparently Being Thrown From Moving Car: Police

Investigators say a dog that apparently was thrown out of a moving car on the Garden State Parkway is recovering from severe injuries, and its owners are not considered suspects in the case.

Authorities say the dog wandered off, somehow ended up in a car that didn't belong to its owners and then was apparently thrown from a window between noon and 1 p.m. Saturday in the southbound express lanes of the parkway near Exit 116 in Holmdel Township.

The brown female mixed terrier was struck by a passing car after landing on the roadway.
 
A good Samaritan stopped and called state police. A trooper took the dog to a veterinary hospital, where doctors were able to stop her internal bleeding and treat other injuries.

The animal, named Lema, was released from the veterinary hospital Monday afternoon. She left with her owners, who issued a statement thanking "everyone who has been so supportive and diligent in helping our little girl." 
 
Officials are still trying to determine if the dog was thrown from the vehicle or if it jumped out a window. It's not clear how it got into the car, and authorities are still looking for the vehicle.

A $1,000 reward for information has been offered.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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