Residents in the small northeast Tennessee community of Morristown are shocked and sickened by the act of animal cruelty they observed on Thursday.
Two years ago Justin Greene found Molly, a black Lab and Crocker Spaniel mix, in a field, abandoned and starving. He picked her up and brought her home to his pregnant wife, Brittany, and their two children. Thankful for her new life and loving family, Molly was loyal and protective, following family members everywhere when possible, and sitting at the door waiting for their return when left.
Molly was believed to be safely in her fenced backyard Thursday when the family left home to go grocery shopping. A short time later, Justin received a phone call from a neighbor saying someone in a white sedan had pulled up to the house, stolen Molly and was driving away. The neighbor began following the car, which is estimated to have been traveling at approximately 40 miles-per-hour according to the Citizen Tribune. She was horrified when she saw a passenger in the sedan throw Molly out of the car's window.
When Justin arrived at the scene, located a mere 150 feet away from where he had last seen Molly happy and secure in her yard, he found neighbors and good samaritans tending to Molly and stopping traffic so she would not be struck by oncoming cars.
Molly had received severe injuries, broken legs, gaping wounds, and had begun to go into shock. Morristown Animal Control officer, Doug Carpenter, told WBIR:
There was so much going on that they [veterinarians] couldn't save her. It's just unthinkable. I don't know why somebody would do that.
Brittany Greene cannot understand the senseless act of cruelty either, saying:
I could understand if she got sick and passed away. Or got hit by a car even. But for someone to do it on purpose for no reason. I don't understand.
Residents of the barely 29,000 member community are equally horrified by the event. A Facebook campaign has been launched seeking donations for a reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons allegedly responsible for Molly's death. As of Sunday morning, the reward currently stands at $2000.00.
Officials with Morristown Animal Control are asking anyone with information regarding the theft and death of Molly to contact them at 423-581-1494.
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