HOLLYWOOD, CA — Cars were barely moving along the Hollywood (101) Freeway freeway Friday when a group of young women in a convertible allegedly did the unthinkable: They let a small dog loose into the freeway traffic.

Now they are wanted for animal cruelty, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. A horrified witness snapped a picture of the car's licence plate, and authorities hope someone will be able to identify it. "The dog, possibly a Terrier mix, was intentionally released on the 101 Freeway by a group of what appeared to be four young women in a white (Chrysler) Sebring convertible," said Ana Bustilloz of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles.

"A witness reported that the car was in the No. 2 lane when it came to an almost complete stop in congested traffic," Bustilloz said. "Then the passenger door opened, and the dog was tossed onto the freeway. The door shut and the car continued onward. The dog was last seen running southbound on the freeway between cars."

The incident happened at about 2:35 p.m. Friday on the northbound freeway between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. The California Highway Patrol looked for the dog, but it was never found. "I hope he made it out. Luckily the traffic was very congested so hopefully he was able to get out," Bustilloz said.

Periodically, police and the animal welfare organization handle cases of animals abandoned in the road, but rarely on a busy freeway where the pup has little chance of survival. "It does happen, but in the middle of the freeway is super egregious," added Bustilloz.

Whoever abandoned the dog on the freeway could face felony charges for intentional animal cruelty, a $20,000 fine, and jail time.

Anyone knowing the identity of the suspects or the location of the dog was urged to call the spcaLA Animal Cruelty Tipline at (800) 540-SPCA, or use the group's animal cruelty reporting form at www.spcaLA.com.