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