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Video: Dog survives I-70 leap

By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 16, 2008 at 4:07 p.m.
Updated July 17, 2008 at 2:27 p.m.

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Shadow

Photo by Bill Scanlon, Rocky

Shadow

Shadow the dog


Video by Bill Scanlon, Rocky

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Shadow's most dangerous leap — at 55 mph onto heavily traveled I-70 — may turn out to be the German Shepherd mix's luckiest jump ever, a jump to a loving home.

The 6- to 7-year-old dog was in a boat being hauled by a car Friday when she apparently saw something that made her want to jump.

Jackie Batts, 26, of Evergreen, who happened to be driving behind the car near the C-470 exit, saw the dog make the leap and slammed on her brakes.

"The boat was in the fast lane, I was in the slow lane," Batts said Wednesday. "The dog jumped into the middle lane. I pulled over and jumped out."

She picked up the dog — bruised, dazed and covered with road rash — and brought her to the side of the road.

When the people towing the boat finally stopped, the son and daughter ran back to the dog "and said she was perfectly fine and wanted to take her," Batts said.

"I refused to let them take her. I said I was taking the dog to the vet and they were welcome to follow me.

"I put the dog in the car, and they pretty much disappeared."

All she knows is that they said they were going to Wisconsin and apparently decided they could do without the dog.

Batts brought the dog to Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, where she's been recovering — and being spoiled — ever since.

"She loves to get her tummy rubbed," veterinarian Elisa Mazzaferro said. "If someone isn't petting her, she'll kind of pet us back to show that we need to pet her more, if, God forbid, we stop for a moment. She has us well-trained."

Mazzaferro called Shadow "a great dog" who can be skittish around strangers and noises, but quickly warms to people.

She got her name, Shadow, from one of the two animal hospital workers who are anxious to adopt her, Mazzaferro said.

"Fortunately for her, she will finally get a really good home," she said.

"That's all I really wanted, that she got better and found a good home," Batts said. "I'm really happy. I'm a big dog lover."

Whether Shadow's leap was a foolish risk or a desperate move for attention, she is one lucky dog, Mazzaferro said.

"Whenever an animal jumps out of a moving vehicle, especially one going very quickly on an Interstate, we see injuries — ranging from minor to death, she said.

"The injuries can come from head trauma or from being hit by another vehicle. She could have so easily been run over."

Too many dog owners simply don't get the message, she said, listing several incidents in which she had to care for — or euthanize — dogs that had fallen or jumped out of trucks or car windows.

Dogs should only be in pickup beds if they're inside the kind of kennels made for that kind of thing, which also must be secured firmly by ropes or bungee cords, she said.

Inside a car, dogs should be harnessed because they can be thrown around by a sudden stop as easily as children can.

"We see this so frequently," she said. "A dog is tied with just one rope, then jumps out and is hung or dragged for several miles," she said. "They often lose their limbs."

"I've also been forced to euthanize a lot of these animals who suffered significant injuries, to put them out of their suffering," she added.

The lesson, then, is to enjoy Shadow's happy ending to her dangerous jump, but never to put dogs in a position to make a similar leap, she said.

Comments

  • July 16, 2008

    4:22 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    demmud writes:

    Several years ago, a dog fell out of a pickup on 470 and I ran over the poor thing... Never forgot how horrible... Although I felt guilty, the owner should have had the dog in a kennel.

  • July 16, 2008

    4:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    I am so glad shadow is going to have the life that she deserves.
    No dog deserves to be mistreated or unloved.
    My own dog is a rescue and he is like a little kid to me.
    I never would ever leave him to ride outside of the back of a truck.
    But shadow looks like she locked out to come up with two people who want to love and spoil her.
    Good Luck,Shadow may you have the best life possible.

  • July 16, 2008

    4:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Sundog writes:

    Howzabout a picture of Shadow? Give us some actuality on a story like this, hanh? It's nooz-worthy.

  • July 16, 2008

    6:09 p.m.

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    scastaneda writes:

    PajamaPulitzer is right. There should be a law. Not that I think the police need to be out there patrolling for violators, but so there is legal recourse for people who abuse an animal in this manner. It's nice that everything turned out OK this time, but what if the motorist who slammed on her brakes set off a chain-reaction pileup?

    Get well, Shadow!

  • July 17, 2008

    12:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Patron_Drinker writes:

    PJ, There is a law. Actually, there are at least two laws covering this. Problem is, people don't always feel the need to find out what the law is, or obey the law if they know it.
    Marge, not everyone likes the nanny-ism of telling people that they can't ride in the bed of a pickup. And it's still legal in more places than Hawaii.

  • July 17, 2008

    9:21 a.m.

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    7_ogNiOj writes:

    The sad reality is that people still feel the need to put a disclaimer in front of their comment stating "I'm not an animal rights kook but[...]" before arguing against the mistreatment of animals. Until people are mentally sophisticated enough to discriminate between humane treatment and kooks we'll see this type of carnage on our roads.

  • July 17, 2008

    9:26 a.m.

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    Cowboy63 writes:

    Good job to Jackie Batts for insisting on taking the dog with her and not giving it back. Standing up for an animal that can't protect itself is honorable.

    I notice the LOSER driving the truck sent his kids back to get the dog and couldn't even be bothered to get out of the truck then took off when it looked like he might be busted for it. What a punk!

  • July 17, 2008

    9:38 a.m.

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    temurlan writes:

    I agree with both PajamaPulitzer and Scastaneda that there should be a law. Not only to protect the animals but also to protect me. If a dog falls out of a truck in front of me, I don't want to be in a position where I am creamed from behind because you can bet my brakes are going to be engaged.

    There are laws about securing cargo. If you are going to say dogs are "property" then they are cargo. Unsecured cargo that could endanger others is against the law.

    I don't like thinking of what the poor dog had to go through but I'm glad that it's getting a chance at a happier life.

  • July 17, 2008

    9:47 a.m.

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    goodheart writes:

    If you have $100 in Denver Colorado, any idiot can get a dog on the spot. No home visit or background check in any way. I recently adopted a dog from DDFL and I could have been living in a cardboard box for all they knew. I previously lived in Virginia where you fill out an app and get an extensive home visit and will be turned down if you intend to have the dog sleep outside. More protection needs to be afforded pets as they cannot speak for themselves and most cannot just run away either. Shadow escaped a terrible home and thank God, she made it safely to a loving one.

  • July 17, 2008

    9:49 a.m.

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    Monica030 writes:

    The kids best friend? They should have taken care of it.

    They thought the dog was 'perfectly fine' after jumping out at those speeds? Then they're idiots who don't deserve the dog.

    Obviously the dog didn't matter to the previous owners. I don't care how much the kids liked it...that doesn't mean it should stay with irresponsible people who endanger it.

  • July 17, 2008

    9:53 a.m.

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    jtriska writes:

    It's a good thing that no humans died in this moronic way that they were transporting an animal. Jackies' actions to avoid the animal and the irresponsibilty of the dog owner hauling the animal could have easily caused a horrific accident. I taught my loved ones that if an animal crosses your path on the freeway your best bet is to just hit it. If you try some evasive manuvers you are more than likely to cause a major accident or roll your vechile.
    Any fines for reckless endangerment being imposed on this one? I think they need to be taught a lesson because next time people may not be so lucky.

  • July 17, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

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    NotUrFriend writes:

    I can't help but be extremely relieved to find out that this had a happy ending. I'm a huge animal lover, dog's particularily, and am angry to see many people dont use common sense in these situations.

    A dog's no more intellegent than a young child, so they're expected to react sometimes irrationally when presented with circumstances beyond they're understanding. That's why my windows are only half rolled down when I drive, and I'm also thoughtful about my braking, slowing down, and turning. My girl's are well trained and accustomed to my driving, so they're usually sitting patiantly.

    God Bless this person for having the kindness and sightfulness to step in and do what she did. I wish more people had that kind of courage. Imagine telling someone they couldnt have their dog back? That took gull, it really did. I'd like to think I'd of done the same thing in that situation. The owneres obviousily didnt deserve the dog.

    I.

  • July 17, 2008

    10:13 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    GENE,

    If the dog was the child's best friend, the parent certainly wouldnt have "driven off". At least this way, the child would not, at some point, what his/her 'best friend' die in terrible agony. Because that's what this moron will do. He'll get the poor thing killed. Prabably let's the kid's play in the street at night with black shirts and dark pants too.

    Me? I'd rather see my 'best friend' live with someone that would take care of her rather than with a clumsy bast*rd like me, if I were that. It's common sense. And it's only 'dognapping' (theift) if the person bothers to dispute it. So your wrong there. If someone stole my old pair of shoes that I have sitting outside on the side of the house (with the blackwidow in it), frankly, I'd not bother reporting it. Good riddance, that seems to be what me and this truck driving uncaring father figure have in common.

    I.

  • July 17, 2008

    10:24 a.m.

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    Buckwheat writes:

    Lucky break for the dog. I am sure he will be alot better off than he was before. It is still a common practice in rural areas for people to ride in the back of a pickup. Only difference is their not doing 70 down the road.

  • July 17, 2008

    10:41 a.m.

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    MsValeriah writes:

    What kind of blithering idiot would have a dog riding in a boat they were towing anyway? Kudos to Jackie for stepping in and giving Shadow an opportunity for a better life. She absolutely did the right thing. Too bad for the kids losing their dog, but if the adult in charge of both dog and kids was stupid and negligent enough to place the dog in harms way like that, chances are the kids aren't getting much better care from that individual. They'll probably grow up to be dysfunctional messes, poor things. Here's hoping that Shadow has a long and happy life in a new and loving home.

  • July 17, 2008

    11:15 a.m.

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    views_on_news writes:

    Gene,
    If that's how you allow your best friends to treat you, I feel very sad for you.
    These people were driving all the way to Wisconsin with their dog alone and untethered in a boat? How many hundreds or near thousand miles would that have been?
    And they couldn't step up to the plate and be bothered to detour a bit of time from their obvious vacation plans to give proper medical attention to their dog after they neglected it?
    I'm surprised the parent didn't say, "Hey there's some room in the boat, why don't you kids go ride there now."

  • July 17, 2008

    11:34 a.m.

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    temurlan writes:

    "it seems like values have been scrambled here for some time...but as long as its a dog, well then, spare no expense, lavish with no limits...it is, after all, a dog... and they worship dogs here."

    You bet we do.

    What's wrong with that? God forbid we go above and beyond for an animal that is innocent and doesn't know any better. You know, as opposed to someone breaking the law that does know better.

  • July 17, 2008

    12:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    Ezekal,

    No offense intended, but I'd happily run you over before I'd do that to my dog. Sorry, valuewise, my dog has importance over you in every direct sense, at least, to me. :) That's not to say your not a good person, just your worth in my view is going to be far less than my dogs. I suppose If I owned you, and such, perhaps I'd view you with more importance.

    I.

    P.S. I'd imagine its a good thing that the law says overwise. *sighs* Oh well, at least if you came in my house it'd be another story

  • July 17, 2008

    12:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    NotUrFriend writes:

    But seriousily, with the above comment. I am not putting an animals life above a persons. I'm stating the obvious. That an animal deserves some value, and protection. It's not going to intentionally move to hurt you unless threatened, verses...say? A gang member trying to join a gang, raping your daughter or shooting up your house?

    End statement: Animals are 99.9 percent of the time innocent.

    I.

  • July 17, 2008

    1:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    JluvDC writes:

    Some people don't deserve pets. Kind of disturbing that the original owners in this story just abandoned the animal.

  • July 17, 2008

    2:45 p.m.

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    Armchair_Pundit writes:

    Lucky break for the dog. I feel bad for the kids! Imagine your dog jumps out of the car/boat/truck and your jack@$$ Dad/Mom says, not knowing if the thing is dead or horribly mangled "Go get the dog, tell 'em he's fine, I ain't payin' the vet bills!" Then, when you come back empty handed, good 'ole Pop/Ma says "screw it, gotta make Omaha buy dusk. Sorry kids, maybe we'll get ya a new dog someday."

  • July 17, 2008

    5 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    joggle writes:

    Based on prior posts by ezekiel777 he seems to think animals have less rights than even property, probably zero rights at all. If somebody comes to your house and kills your dog, oh well it was probably annoying the person who killed it. If you leave your dog in the boat and it jumps out, oh well. Stupid dog. And on, and on, and on.

  • July 17, 2008

    8:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ginger writes:

    What's really sad, and what hasn't been stated here, is that parents use pets to control their children, and the children are the ones that ultimately suffer in the long run. Read Augusten Burrough's book, "The Wolf at the Table" about his father's cruel and unusual treatment of a small boy's pet hamster and dog. I grew up in the 1960's when it was not unusual for parents to take a child's beloved pet to the pound when the child misbehaved. The most disturbing thing about this story is not that the dog was put in danger, but that these children will have lifelong memories of this terrible act of cruelty.