COACHELLA, Calif. — Officials are searching for a female suspect after she was caught on camera dumping a bag of puppies in Coachella, according to a news release.
Riverside County Animal Services say they were tipped off by a Napa Auto Parts store employee after a passerby discovered the bag of puppies next to a dumpster.
Officer Jose Cisneros was called to the scene around 2 p.m. where he discovered a trash bag containing seven puppies. All of the pups were approximately three days old and believed to be terrier mixes.
The Animal Services’ veterinary team cared for the puppies before they were taken in by a Southern California-based organization specializing in kitten and cat rescue.
During the investigation, Officer Cisneros obtained surveillance footage from the store security cameras. In the footage the female suspect is seen placing a plastic bag in a trash dumpster before driving away in a Jeep.
Animal Services say that the puppies may not have survived much longer if they weren't discovered in time. The mid-day temperatures in Coachella were reportedly in the mid-90s on Thursday.
The female suspect is currently being investigated for animal cruelty.
