Pit Bull That Suffered 30-Foot Fall Is Reunited With Owner

Pit bulls have a bad reputation.

Whether people believe the hype or not, there’s no denying that there’s a higher rate of violence toward the breed because of it.

The story of Wookie is one that speaks toward that cruelty, but he’s only one of many pit bulls that became victims this week.

On Tuesday, at around 6:30 pm in Brooklyn, NY, Wookie slipped his leash. A friend of the owner was dog-sitting at the time and had the pit bull tied up outside. With no collar and no evidence that he wasn’t a stray, someone took just enough interest in the pit bull to pick him up and toss him over the side of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).

He tumbled 30-feet onto the asphalt of Meeker Avenue.

Witnesses at the scene said they saw the pit bull sailing from the overpass, spinning head over tail.

“The way he was falling, head over heels down on the pavement, it just made us think we had probably seen a dog being thrown over the barrier,” said Jon Ernsberger, a driver that witnessed the pit bull’s fall.

“There is no way this dog jumped from the BQE,” said another witness, Gregory Kost. “A dog doesn’t jump upside down.”

Two bicyclists were the first to stop and move over to Wookie. They cared for the pit bull and called the police to file a report about the incident.

One of the good Samaritans rushed the pit bull to the 24 hour Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group (VERG) in Cobble Hill.

Wookie the pit bull suffered an injured leg, several broken teeth, and a collapsed lung.

“Your first reaction is obviously anger,” said Brett Levitzke of VERG, “followed up quickly by very thankful that this good Samaritan saw it happen and then brought him in. Because without him, [Wookie] would probably be dead right now.”

As mentioned above, violence against pit bulls is very common and it’s less likely that a person will aid an unknown pit bull than any of the breeds with better reputations.

Wookie had it rough, but things are finally getting better.

Non-profit group, Positive Tails, has committed to paying the vet bills for the pit bull. Not only that, but it was discovered that his owner had been looking for him all along.

Oliver Rivera had filed a report with Animal Care and Control. On Thursday, he was reunited with his beloved pit bull friend.

“He’s acting like a new dog!” said a VERG spokeswoman. “Now we must focus our efforts on getting Wookie better, and on finding out who would do such a horrible thing to him.”

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

[ Image courtesy of NY Daily News ]