By Frank Fernandez
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A 35-year-old woman attacked a motel maid and then threatened to jump over a second-floor railing, according to a news release from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
But after a sheriff’s deputy knocked on her motel room door, she walked out and tossed her dog over the railing instead, the sheriff’s office said.
The dog was not seriously injured and has now been renamed “Miracle.”
And Allison Murphy was arrested and charged with animal cruelty and resisting an officer with violence, both felonies, according to the release. Murphy, whose last known address was in Clearwater, was being held without bond Tuesday at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
The incident began at the Motel 6 at 2992 W. International Speedway Blvd., where deputies and Daytona Beach police officers responded around noon Monday, a release said. Motel staff said that Murphy had attacked one of the maids and had been standing over the railing and threatening to jump off.
After deputies knocked several times on Murphy’s room’s door, she walked out with the German shepherd on a leash, a report said.
But then Murphy bent down, scooped up the German shepherd and threw the dog over the second-floor railing, according to the release and body camera video.
The dog landed feet first and ran away, but was caught by bystanders, according to the release.
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Murphy kicked at officers’ legs and arms as they took her to the floor while handcuffing her, the report said.
The motel maid declined to press charges against Murphy.
Volusia County Animal Services took custody of the dog and nicknamed her “Miracle,” as no name was provided. The dog is about a year old and weighs about 40 pounds and was taken to Atlantic Animal Hospital in Port Orange to be checked out.
The examination found that Miracle had escaped serious injury. However, an X-ray revealed a sewing needle was lodged in her right thigh. The needle was safely removed and Miracle is recovering.
A petition for custody over Miracle will be scheduled with the courts in the following weeks.
The sheriff’s office encourages anyone who witnesses animal cruelty or abuse to contact animal services at 386-248-1790, or the sheriff’s office at 386-248-1777, or 911 in an emergency.
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