OREM, Utah -- A motorist with a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit temporarily lost her dog when it fell out the car window as she attempted a U-turn in Orem City, Utah on Saturday.
The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. when the woman made a U-turn at 800 East and 800 North, police say.
Witnesses in the area reported the woman’s erratic driving to police.
“The car was weaving unable to maintain a lane and then when they saw the U-turn that’s when we got a lot of calls,” said Lt. Craig Martinez of Orem Police Department.
As the driver made the turn, her dog flew out the window, police say.
“One caller said the driver did a U-turn and the dog that was in the passenger side seat had fallen out of the window and the driver just kept going,” Martinez said.
Witnesses got the dog to safety and were able to get the drunk driver to stop.
“One of the witnesses picked up the dog, walked up to the window and the driver made the statement, ‘that’s a cute dog.' She didn’t realize One: It was her dog or Two: That it had fallen out of the car,” Martinez said.
Witnesses told police they could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath. After going through a field sobriety test, it was determined the woman was three times over the legal limit.
“Fortunately for everyone the dog is just fine,” Martinez said.
The driver was booked and taken to jail.
“Very good job on their part, who knows what could have happened,” Martinez said.
Police are not releasing the driver’s name as they don't want her to be a target of animal activists.
The woman has been charged with a DUI. She doesn't have her dog now but police say she will get it back.
