Ten puppies rescued after being thrown from a vehicle near a Mission Viejo animal shelter last month will soon be up for adoption, officials said.
A suspect threw the puppies from a vehicle and into some bushes around 2:30 a.m. on July 24 near Mission Viejo Animal Services Centerthe city said in a statement Wednesday.
Hours later, a volunteer dog walker found the pups, who were lucky to survive the night in what officials described as “coyote country,” in a vinyl pool.
The puppies were only 3 weeks old. Officials recommend that puppies and kittens stay with their mothers until they reach at least twice that age.
The animal services staff then nursed the puppies back to health and sent them to a foster carer. Surveillance video at the center captured an image of the suspect, who was then interviewed by Mission Viejo police.
Mission Viejo Animal Services will file animal cruelty charges against the suspected owner with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, officials said.
The dogs’ mother, Holly, was “located, apprehended and quickly reunited with all of her puppies,” the city said.
All dogs are healthy and will be soon available for adoption.
Those who are unable to care for their pets can refrain from them at their local animal shelter.