Man arrested after throwing puppy off bridge, twice

Harlan Kentucky police have arrested a man after they say he threw a puppy off of a bridge in town into the river below - twice. Police arrested 21 year-old Jerry Russel, Jr and charged him with Animal Cruelty charges after it was reported he threw the dog off the Georgetown Bridge.

The dog was in a plastic grocery bag. A 13 year old boy with Russel retrieved the dog from the water and Russel is alleged to have thrown the dog into the river again. The second time the dog was rescued by a homeless man under the bridge.

According to Mikel Taylor with the Harlan County Animal Shelter, the puppy, who shelter workers have named Lucky, was checked by a veterinarian and was in good physical shape. Taylor says Lucky is not ready for adoption, but should be in the near future.

Taylor added, "I can't believe someone would do something this horrific to a defenceless puppy." Russel remains in the Harlan County Jail under a $9000 bond. The homeless man has been honoured by the animal shelter for saving the dog.