Woman Throws German Shepherd Off Motel Balcony Gets Charged With Animal Cruelty

Daytona Beach, FL – A German Shepherd dog is recovering after being thrown off a motel balcony and his erstwhile owner, 35-year-old Allison Murphy, is in the Volusia County Jail, arrested on felony charges of animal cruelty and resisting an officer with violence. Volusia sheriff’s deputies and Daytona Beach Police responded to the Motel 6 located at Tomka Farms Road and International Speedway Boulevard yesterday (December 14) around noon after getting reports from motel staff that Murphy attacked one of the maids and was threatening to jump off her second-floor balcony. When law enforcement arrived, Murphy was locked in her room. While deputies were knocking on the door, Murphy walked out to the balcony with the dog on a leash, which she picked up and suddenly threw over the railing to the ground. The dog landed on her feet and tried to run off but was captured by bystanders. Murphy was taken into custody immediately, Volusia County Animal Services took custody of the dog and because no name was provided, nicknamed her "Miracle." She was taken to Port Orange Animal Hospital for examination and no serious injuries were found. An x-ray did reveal a sewing needle lodged in the dog’s right thigh, which was removed. A petition for custody over Miracle will be scheduled with the courts in the following weeks. As for Murphy, she remains in the Volusia County Jail on a $5,000 bond. She’s in court this afternoon for a first appearance.