Rhode Island: Pawtucket shelter receives more than 100 calls about pup left in Dumpster

RHODE ISLAND -- The plight of the puppy left in a parking lot dump container in Pawtucket has drawn an “overwhelming” response, Animal Control Supervisor John Holmes said Tuesday.

His office received “well over 100 calls” Tuesday morning from people concerned about the dog and looking to adopt him.

The 10- to 12-week-old Jack Russell terrier mix was discovered when a passerby heard whimpering in the trash bin behind an apartment building at West Avenue and Harrison Street early Friday morning, Police Maj. Arthur Martins said Monday. The puppy, in a filthy pet carrier, was hungry and thirsty but otherwise unhurt.

Holmes figures the puppy had been in the trash container for 24 hours.

Workers at the city animal shelter fed and cleaned the puppy, who is friendly and appears to be in good shape, Holmes said.

He said he has received 50 adoption applications, “but we can only find one home for the dog. … Unfortunately, 49 people’s hearts are going to be broken.”

Holmes said his office would begin screening applications on Thursday.

“We want to see this puppy go into a home where he’s going to get a lot of love. He’s been through a lot,” he said. “It’s going to be tough” to select the family. “We’ve got a lot of nice people” who applied to adopt him.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Pawtucket police at (401) 727-9100 or the shelter at (401) 722-4243.

(Providence Journal - Dec 24, 2013)

Earlier:

• Weeks-old puppy rescued from dumpster