Witness: Kittens thrown from moving car

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - State police are investigating a case of possible animal cruelty, after a woman says her daughter saw another woman throwing kittens out of a moving car.

According to a news release sent to 22News by State Police Media Relations, a woman called 9-1-1 around 11:20 Saturday morning, saying her daughter witnessed someone throwing the kittens out of the car on Route 5 southbound in Northampton.

The witness followed the car, a 2010 Dodge Avenger, to the Big Y parking lot, where she pointed it out to police. She described the driver as an “older female in a flower-patterned shirt.”

State police identified the driver as Judith Thornton, 54, of Hatfield. Trooper Todd Nolan told 22News that Thornton has not been arrested or charged with a crime at this time, but said that an animal cruelty investigation is ongoing.

According to state police, troopers found a dead kitten on the side of the road on Route 5. They removed the animal’s corpse and sent a photographer to the area to gather more evidence.