When officers from the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) opened a dumpster lid at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, they expected to find more than just garbage—but nothing could prepare them for what they did find: a sweet, frightened dog peering up at them, his eyes filled with uncertainty.
The dog, a 10-year-old black-and-white pit bull mix, should have been comfortably curled up on a cozy dog bed, not huddling in the dark confines of a sealed dumpster. He wasn’t wearing a collar, and a microchip scan revealed nothing. It was clear that, instead of being loved and cared for, this senior pup had been abandoned.
Working together with Washtenaw County Animal Control, the officers carefully lifted the dog from the trash. As they did, they noticed a large tumor on his left side—a sign of the neglect he’d suffered. The pup needed help, but he had been discarded like yesterday’s trash.
They rushed him to the Humane Society of Huron Valley for treatment, where he was understandably nervous but still incredibly sweet. The shelter shared an update on Facebook, saying, “Yesterday afternoon we let this guy decompress and got him out for his first walk in the evening. He didn’t seem to want to go far, but he enjoyed sniffing around and taking treats. He had a big day!”
While the team at the shelter continues to assess his health, they noted that he’s in stable condition. He’s been enjoying slow walks, though they suspect he may be hard of hearing. One thing they do know, however, is that he has a soft spot for cheese.
As the shelter works to uncover more about the pup’s past, the Ann Arbor Police Department is determined to find out how such a sweet dog ended up discarded in the trash. They’ve called on the public to help, asking anyone who may recognize the dog or have information about his owner to contact the AAPD at (734) 794-6920 or email tips@a2gov.org.
Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, the compassionate response from the community has been nothing short of heartwarming. As the Humane Society of Huron Valley posted on Facebook, “Please know that, regardless of how he ended up in the dumpster, the majority of our community is filled with compassionate people like all of you. That always gives us hope, and we hope it does for you as well!”