Homeless Man Pulls Pups from Hot Dumpster, Security Cam Leads to Animal Abuser’s Arrest
When it comes to evil deeds, very few people commit them openly. Most of us know when we’re doing wrong, and we try our hardest to hide it.
But in the gospel of Luke, Jesus soberingly says, “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Indeed, our very yearning for justice seems to hint that one day there will be a final reckoning.
Sometimes that reckoning comes during this life. In fact, it has done so in a small way for one California woman thanks to a kind deed from what some might consider an unexpected source: a homeless man.
According to KCBS-TV, the 54-year-old culprit was arrested on April 22 at her residence in Coachella, California. Her crime? Dropping seven puppies in a dumpster behind a NAPA Auto Parts.
What she didn’t know as she tied the 3-day-old animals in plastic and tossed them in a garbage bin was that a camera was trained on her. Surveillance footage captured every moment of her animal cruelty, an act that was later described as a “willful act of animal cruelty” by Animal Services.
However, catching the guilty woman was only part of the equation. Amazingly, the puppies survived despite being in an airless container in 90-degree heat.
How? The Daily Mail credited the actions of an unnamed homeless man. See, the security camera also caught him rummaging through the detritus.
He appeared to be collecting bottles that he could recycle them for a little cash. Then he came across the puppies.
Now, someone on the fringes of society could easily decide that helping abandoned animals was none of his concern. After all, he had his hands full trying to care for himself.
But this man didn’t do that. Instead, he pulled the bag of puppies out and left them out near the store for others to find. As The Daily Mail commented, he may have done this instead of taking them inside because he was worried the employees would think he was dumping the puppies himself, not knowing the surveillance footage would clear his name.
That might sound like a small effort, but rescuers say it proved crucial. NAPA Auto Parts employee Jazzy Espino said, “A customer came in and said that there was some puppies outside.
“We put them in a box and then we brought them in. The puppies were really wet and sweating because they were so hot. …
“We called the shelter and they came in about 10 minutes. My colleague went next door to get some puppy formula so we could feed them during that time.”
She added, “The dumpster is on the side of our store, no one ever goes back there. If it wasn’t for the homeless guy digging through the trash minutes later, they wouldn’t have been found.”
Chris Mayer, the Riverside County Animal Service Commander, stated, “The Good Samaritan played a major role in saving these puppies’ lives. His actions were humane and heroic. …
“There is no excuse for dumping puppies. … This was a shameful act.”
A local rescue organization has taken possession of the pups, and 38 more dogs were found at the woman’s home and removed. They’re in much better hands now, and with such a widespread story, they shouldn’t have any trouble finding new homes once they’re in good health and ready to go.
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