City of Spokane, WA

01/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2026 16:25

Male In Custody After Puppy Is Thrown From Moving Vehicle In Argument

Male In Custody After Puppy Is Thrown From Moving Vehicle During Argument; Puppy Located By Neighbor Unharmed

Officer Daniel Strassenberg, PIO

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 2:14 p.m.

On January 21, 2026 at approximately 12:40 p.m., Spokane Police responded to the area of 5000 North Wall on a disturbance call. 911 received several calls about a male and female involved in some type of altercation with the female reportedly in the back of a moving truck, screaming.

It was also reported to 911 that the female was overheard yelling that a puppy had been thrown out of truck while moving. Officers spoke with the female and due to all that happened, she was transported to a local hospital after the incident. Officers did confirm that a puppy, estimated at 11 weeks old was thrown from the truck while moving.

A short time later, a neighbor called 911 to advise he had possession of the puppy. Thankfully, the puppy was uninjured and was reunited with its owner. As the investigation continued, both parties would be arrested. The male, 44-year-old Daniel Kolle was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for 2nd Degree Animal Cruelty. The female, Melissa Pagel (46) would be taken into custody for 4th Degree Assault- Domestic Violence.

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Media Relations Contact

Officer Daniel Strassenberg
509-835-4568
[email protected]

City of Spokane, WA published this content on January 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 23, 2026 at 22:25 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]