A man threw a small dog off an I-20 East exit ramp in DeKalb County on Wednesday afternoon and the dog later died as a result of its injuries, police said.

Several witnesses on the scene observed the man, identified as 48-year-old Michael Copeland pick up the dog and toss it on the highway near Wesley Chapel Road, DeKalb police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell said in a statement.

He was taken into custody on the scene on a charge of animal cruelty and is being held in the DeKalb County Jail, according to police.

The investigation is ongoing.

We are working to learn more.

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A stranger found the child

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Victoria King, 6, attended McGarity Elementary School in Paulding County. She died Wednesday at Carlton Farms in Polk County. (Courtesy of King family)

Credit: Family photo

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(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC / Source: John Glenn for AJC, File)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC