EXCLUSIVE: Puppies abandoned outside La Quinta grocery stores, officials say

LA QUINTA, Calif. (KESQ) - An investigation is underway after puppies were found abandoned outside two local grocery stores in La Quinta.

Over the weekend, officials say two individuals dropped off puppies and drove away from a Vons. Riverside County Sheriff's deputies later finding a second group of puppies at a nearby Aldi.

The puppies were taken to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms.

Officials note that most cases of abandonment happen out of public view. They say this situation could have turned dangerous very quickly.

“The main concern obviously would be the traffic," explains Armando Meza, an animal control officer. "These are small dogs as we can see and very young. They have a tendency to go where the noise is so it’s definitely a high risk area going in there.”

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, animal abandonment is a crime in California, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one thousand dollars in fines or up to six months in jail.

While the puppies are now safe and out of harm's way, Meza is reminding residents there are resources available to help keep animals off the street.

Meza says, “If you have any issues with dogs or too many dogs on your property, we’re always here. You can come by the shelter, any shelter in our area, and just ask for assistance.”

He also says preventing cases like this take a community effort. If you see something suspicious, it's recommended you report it and be prepared to share any details that could help officials.

News Channel 3 has reached out to the property owner at Plaza La Quinta to get permission to share security camera video showing the incident.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.