Puppies left for dead in trash bag in Pleasant Hill up for adoption soon

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. -- Three terrier puppies that were left for dead in a trash bag could soon find some loving homes.

The puppies are alive thanks to a couple walking their dog at Pleasant Hill's Paso Nogal Park on Monday.

When the couple's Australian shepherd started sniffing a knotted up plastic trash bag, they noticed it moving and found the young pups. They took them home to feed the puppies and clean them up before taking them to a shelter.

Contra Costa Animal Services is actively looking for whoever abandoned the puppies.

"Whether their intentions were good or not, they placed the animals in a position that placed them in harm's way, that's a crime in the state of California -- the crime of abandonment and the crime of cruelty," said Rick Golphin with Contra Costa Animal Services.

The pups seem to be doing well now. They've been moved to the East Bay Animal Rescue and Refuge in Clayton. They're too young to be adopted just yet. But will be able to find a new home soon.

"They've all been medically assessed," Golphin said. "We'll probably make a decision on making them available (Wednesday). At that time, they will be available to the public unless something else occurs."

Anyone with information about the former owners of the puppies or how they came to be found in a trash bag in the park is asked to call (925) 335-8366.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Contra Costa Animal Services can contact volunteer coordinator Cindy Smith at (925) 335-8300.

Bay City News contributed to this report.