7 Puppies Rescued After Woman Tosses Them in Plastic Bag Next to Trash Bin in Coachella

Authorities in California are searching for a woman caught on video tossing seven puppies into the trash behind a local business in blistering heat.

The Department of Animal Services in Riverside County, California, said in a statement the puppies were discovered by a Good Samaritan Thursday in a plastic bag next to a dumpster behind a Napa Auto Parts store in Coachella, California.

An officer responded to the scene following a phone call from an employee and found the pups, who are believed to be terrier mixes about three days old.

Thanks to security footage captured by the store, authorities determined that a woman exited a white Jeep Wrangler and dropped off the dogs in the bag before quickly driving away.

The animals were placed in the care of the department’s veterinary team before they were passed on to MeoowzResQ, a local non-profit specializing in kitten and cat rescue and fostering.

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“If not for the Good Samaritan’s actions, the puppies may not have survived much longer,” the department said. “The mid-day temperatures in Coachella on Thursday were in the mid-90s range.”

Commander Chris Mayer praised the Good Samaritan’s actions as “humane and heroic,” and said that he is building a “strong cruelty case” against the woman, along with Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators and the District Attorney’s office.

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“There is no excuse for dumping puppies,” Mayer said. “Especially in today’s age when we or other shelters would be willing to get these animals to foster parents or rescue partners. This was a shameful act.”

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call 951-358-7387.