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Police: No Charges After Dog, Cat Fall From High-Rise

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Police have opted not to charge anyone in the death of a dog which plunged 43 floors to its death this morning, under unusual circumstances.

Residents of the building at 360 E. South Water St., such as Gwen Sylvain, don't see how it is possible for two animals to plunge off the same balcony in three days.

"It's tragic. I am heartbroken. I have cried my heart out about that, because I saw that dog," said Gwen Sylvain, who has lived in the building since it opened six years ago, and considers herself an unofficial "pet mommy" to many of the animals who live in the high rise.

Dog Falls From High-Rise Condo Building

Claire said her boyfriend was walking their dog, when he saw the falling dog hit the pavement in front of the building, landing on its side and dying instantly.

"He can't get the vision out of his head, or the sound," she said. "He's pretty torn up about it. I've never really seen him like this before."

Police arrived equally skeptical, but decided after several hours of questioning that both plunges were tragic accidents.

The first to plunge was a two-month-old kitten named, Oak on, Sunday belonging to the tenant, a 26-year-old musician named Ryan. The second was a Rottweiler-Shar Pei mix named Duke, which belonged to Ryan's mother, stepfather, and sister; who are in town to help him move.

The balcony door was open and piled full of boxes and furniture Wednesday morning as they cleaned prior to moving. Ryan told WBBM he was in a friend's apartment elsewhere in the building, and said he was told no one was watching the balcony.

Eye On Pets: High Rise Syndrome

Ryan said his stepfather came to the friend's apartment to ask if they had come for Duke. Only then did they look over the edge of the balcony, where he said he saw police and Streets and Sanitation personnel huddled around the dog.

Ryan said he is so heartsick that he hasn't eaten since the kitten died Sunday.

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