Houston police have asked the public for help in finding three men who threw a Pit Bull mix into a big trash receptacle behind a U-Haul store, slammed down the lid, and drove off.
The dog was stuck in the container all night and was discovered only the next day. According to Newsfix, David Brecker, a manager at the U-Haul, noticed the dog.
“I walked past the Dumpster and heard a howling noise, like barking,” he said. “And I look in, and there was a Pit Bull in there. I thought, ‘Oh, maybe there’s food in the dumpster, and he jumped in.’ That’s what I thought had happened.”
“I was like, there’s no damn way a dog is dying in my Dumpster,” he said.
After the dog was saved, he appeared to be OK. Once he and others checked the surveillance footage, however, they were shocked by what they saw — a man throwing the dog in the big container like garbage.
“The dog did not suffer any trauma,” said Officer Suzanne Hollifield with the Houston Police Department. “The veterinarian at the pet clinic examined the dog, and the dog is in very good health. The only problem is he had worms,”
The police have released surveillance video in the hope that the public can help identify the men. However, that video violated YouTube’s terms of service and has been removed. That said, you can still see it at this moment at the Huffington Post.
“I think the behavior is totally unacceptable,” said Hollifield. “In our society today, we should really care for animals.”
Fortunately, this story has a happy ending for the dog — Luke, as he’s been named. After staff from South Gessner Pet Clinic rescued and cleaned up the dog, they found him remarkably well adjusted.
“He was filthy and scared to death, but once I got him back to the clinic, he turned into a different dog,” the clinic posted on its Facebook page. “He loves other dogs, walks good on a leash, and loves attention from anyone!!”
So much so that it didn’t take long for this dog to find a forever home. Luke was adopted yesterday.
“The family who adopted the dog said he’s getting along great with another dog she has. Super friendly,” Hollifield said.
Anyone with information on the identities of the three males or the dog is urged to contact the HPD Major Offenders Division at 713-308-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
