Dog Thrown From Bridge Undergoes Surgery, Previous Owners Speak to News 9

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office is still looking for the person responsible for throwing a German Shepherd off a bridge onto I-40 last week.

Now, the family who used to own "Rookie" is speaking out.

The Baez family gave Rookie away just a few months ago. They've been following his recovery since he was thrown from a bridge last week.

Tuesday afternoon, Rookie underwent surgery at OSU's Center for Veterinary Health Sciences in Stillwater.

Rookie's story hit too close to home for Paul Baez.

"It broke my heart, just broke my heart to the core. It devastated me," Baez said.

Baez says he owned the German Shepherd for about six months and gave him away in June.

Last week, Rookie was found on I-40 after a witness reported someone threw the dog from the S.E. 59th bridge.

12/11/2012 Related Story: Reward Increased To Help Catch Person Who Threw Dog Off OKC Bridge

"What can you consider to justify throwing him off a bridge and hurting him?" Baez said.

Baez had a German Shepherd growing up, and his wife found Rookie on Craig's List. The owner was moving and wanted to find him a good home.

"He'll continuously play with you, continuously jumping, continuously just wanting to be with you and loved, more than anything, just loved," Baez said.

But Rookie became too much for their growing family of five, and they gave the dog back to his original owner.

Baez says giving Rookie back left a hole in his family. Now he's hoping Rookie will get a happy ending.

"I just can't believe someone would do something like that to him because he's not in any way, shape or form an angry or mean dog," Baez said.

Investigators say they've talked with Rookie's original owner. She lives in Oregon now and gave the dog to another family.

The reward leading to an arrest and conviction in the case has been raised to $7,500, and anyone with information is asked to call the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office.

Rookie made it through the surgery just fine at the vet hospital in Stillwater Tuesday night. The hospital was able to save his fractured leg.

We're told the state trooper who found Rookie plans to adopt him.