Dog thrown to death from bridge

The dog died of extensive injuries after being thrown from the bridge

Youths are being blamed for the death of a dog which was hurled from a bridge on to a busy road on Tyneside.

Motorists had to swerve to avoid hitting the brown and white springer spaniel, which landed in front of them.

Three youths were seen fleeing the area as the dog hit the busy A19, near the Tyne Tunnel in Jarrow, South Tyneside.

Tunnel staff and members of the public rushed to help the animal after the incident on 10 August, but the dog died from extensive injuries.

Police investigation

Police and animal welfare staff are examining CCTV footage in an effort to identify those responsible.

A Tyne Tunnel spokesman said: "We were called to the scene and tried to make the dog as comfortable as possible.

"Fortunately motorists managed to stop in time and didn't hit it.

"One of the motorists said he had seen three youths leave the scene at about the same time as the dog left the bridge.

"The RSPCA took the body away and they are working with the police to find out what happened."

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman added: "Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the dog."