Dog allegedly thrown over Highway 4 overpass will undergo surgery thanks to donations

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A dog suffered injuries when it was allegedly thrown off a state Highway 4 overpass in the Brentwood area on Saturday, according to Contra Costa County Animal Services.  Now, thanks to generous donations from the community, the dog's medical expenses are taken care of. 

A GoFundMe page for the dog, named "Bella" has surpassed its goal in 6 days, raising $12,391 of the $12,000 goal.  It was organized by the people who found and helped the dog.  They have since been in touch with her owner, but had nicknamed the dog "Gracie" in the meantime.  According to a service that registers lost dogs, the Australian Shepherd may have been missing since Christmas Eve. 

Burdo said it was reported Saturday that a dog may have been thrown off a highway either in Antioch or Brentwood, possibly on the Sand Creek Road overpass.

None of the witnesses have been able to verify that the dog was tossed off the highway since all of them only observed the dog's fall, Burdo said.

One woman at the scene brought the dog to East Bay Veterinary Emergency in Antioch, where an initial assessment was done. The dog was then transferred to the county's Animal Services department in Martinez on Monday.

Animal Services spokesman Steve Burdo said the dog, an Australian Shepherd that is about 1 year old, is in stable condition but suffered a fractured femur that requires surgery.  The dog has a separated front paw as well as a fractured femur in her back right leg, Burdo said.

An interview will be conducted prior to the dog being claimed by the potential owner, Burdo said.  Burdo added that field officers are still investigating whether the dog was thrown off the highway.  "And, to the extent that it's possible, they'll be trying to find out who was responsible for it," Burdo said.