Photos for Headline Surfer / For the first time since she was allegedly tossed from a moving car like a bag of garbage onto the pavement by her owner, here for the first time is what Minnie the poodle looks like. The 24/7 internet news site is the first to rep[ort on the frightened canine.
The story has been all over the news, even making the pages of the New York Daily News.
But 3-year-old Minnie, the cutest little white poodle, suffered abrasions to her mouth, but survived nonetheless despite the alleged dastardly deed of Mary Radford, the old lady -- who, according to cruelty alleged in the charging affidavit, is being compared to dog killer Michael Vick, the NFL quarterback of the New York Jets, formerly with the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, who spent time in prison for his cruelty.
But 3-year-old Minnie, the cutest little white poodle, suffered abrasions to her mouth, but survived nonetheless despite the alleged dastardly deed of Mary Radford, the old lady -- who, according to cruelty-alleged in the charging affidavit, is being compared to dog killer Michael Vick, the NFL quarterback of the New York Jets, formerly with the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, who spent time in prison for his cruelty.
Radford was allegedly caught in the act by three eyewitnesses, including a Volusia County Sheriff's captain.
Today, Headline Surfer® is the first media outlet worldwide to show you what Minnie actually looks like.
Here'a synopsis of what happened: Around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Capt. Shane Summers was stopped at a red light on Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach when he saw a woman drive through the intersection, swing open her driver's door and throw "Minnie" out.
Minnie is being kept for now at the Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach, until a permanent home can be found for her. The award-winning 24/7 internet newspaper didn't pull any strings or call on any favors from the authorities to get Minnie's photo before anyone else. Headline Surfer® was patient, but persistent and the results speak for themselves.
According to Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant, Radford allegedly opened her driver's side door enough to toss Minnie to the concrete road surface as she drove through the intersection.
Volusia County Capt. Shane Summers, who was stopped at a red light, saw her do it, Gant said. The horrified bystanders saw the 10-pound poodle tumble into the road and then hurriedly run to a nearby parking lot.
Minnie appeared uninjured but was shaking uncontrollably. A New Smyrna Beach police officer responded to take the dog from Summers' custody after Radford was arrested and then then to the Humane Society, Gant said.
"It was a cute little poodle," one of the witnesses, Stephanie Doster told the Orlando Sentinel. "We were shocked at what we just witnessed. We were like, 'Oh my gosh, that dog is going to run across the street and get hit by a car.'"
As Radford took off in her car, Doster and another person ran to Minnie's aid while the Sheriff's captain pursued Radford, putting the lights and sirens on her to get her to pull over.
And while Radford allegedly told the veteran Sheriff's administrator the small canine must have accidentally fallen out of her car, he wasn't buying her story and placed her under arrest. Radford was charged with animal cruelty and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail. She was released a short time later, pending a future court date.