Dumped Puppy Recovering

A puppy found inside a white trash bag, tossed in a Dumpster in Riverside is recovering, according to County Animal Services officials.

The Rottweiler-hound mix was dehydrated and emaciated when it was rescued on July 30.

Public information officer John Welsh said in a press release, that an Animal Services officer responded to a call from the Riverside Police Department early Monday morning. Officer Christopher Peck rushed the dog from the Dumpster at the Concord Village Apartments to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley.

“When I first recovered the puppy, I didn’t think it was alive,” Officer Peck said. “It was so lethargic.” The puppy only started to move when it picked it out of the container, Welsh reported.

The puppy, which veterinary staff named Pongo, responded well after intravenous treatment with medications and fluids. He remains under steady observation in the shelter’s clinic.

According to Peck, an anonymous caller reported the dog was inside a Dumpster on the second apartment complex on Massachusetts Ave.

“Most likely it was someone searching for bottles and cans and stumbled upon this dog,” Peck said. “Making that call saved the dog’s life. What the person may not realize is that a few hours later a trash truck driver emptied that Dumpster.”

Anyone with information about the case is urged to email info@rivcocha.org

Anyone interested in adopting Pongo should e-mail Welsh at jcwelsh@rivcocha.org