Puppies tossed from a vehicle and abandoned in the bushes prompts reminder to public

After 10 newborn puppies were thrown out of a vehicle and abandoned in the bushes, the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is reminding residents that when faced with relinquishing pets, the center has options.

The incident happened at 2:30 am on July 24 when a suspect tossed the puppies out the back of his vehicle into the bushes next to the road leading to the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center. Hours later, an animal services volunteer dog walker found the 3-week-old puppies in a vinyl puppy pool. Animal Services staff immediately brought the puppies to the shelter and began nursing them back to health before sending them to foster care.

The department launched an investigation, and surveillance video showed the suspect discarding the puppies before driving off. Though the vehicle's license plate was not visible in the video, Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) identified a possible suspect and found the vehicle the next day. Officers contacted the suspect and through an interview determined he had abandoned the newborn puppies. The mother dog was located, seized, and quickly reunited with all her puppies. MVAS is filing animal cruelty charges against the suspect with the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Fortunately, Mother Holly and her puppies are in good health and will be available for adoption soon. The center's nonprofit DAWG is paying for the spay/neuters and medical needs of all the dogs.

This disturbing incident serves as a reminder that when residents are faced with the decision of whether or not to relinquish an animal, MVAS has options.

Even if MVAS doesn't have available room to accept the relinquished animal(s), the center has relationships with many organizations that can assist with placing pets.

In addition to these pups being dropped in coyote country in the middle of the night, they were separated from their mother before ready and healthy enough to do so. Puppies and kittens should not be removed from their mothers before they are at least 6 weeks old.

The Orange County District Attorney does pursue animal cruelty charges when appropriate, and people should contact MVAS at 949-470-3045 if they see or suspect that animals are being abused or neglected.