A California man has been arrested for leaving a puppy for dead earlier this month – reportedly violating his misdemeanor probation, authorities say.
The Vallejo man – whose identity has not been revealed – allegedly abandoned the French Bulldog puppy in a gas station dumpster on August 18.
A customer reportedly found the dog wrapped in a plastic grocery bag while throwing their own trash out.
After ripping the bag open and finding the dog, the customer notified a nearby attendant, who alerted authorities.
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A Solano County sheriff's officer found the young French Bulldog unresponsive but he was still alive.
"The officer checked for signs of life and was able to determine the puppy was alive, but barely," Solano Sheriff’s Animal Control Services wrote on Facebook.
Authorities transported the puppy to a veterinarian, who was able to stabilize the dog's condition. The pup – while not fully healed yet — is being cared for by the county's animal control division.
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Officials say the suspect admitted to throwing the pup in the dumpster because he believed it was dying.
In addition to felony animal abuse, the suspect has been charged with willfully abandoning an animal and violating his misdemeanor probation.
Authorities have not revealed his previous violation, but the suspect has been booked into a Solano County jail.
Felony animal abuse in California holds a penalty up of to 3 years in jail and a possible $20,000 fine.
