‘How cruel to do that to a living creature’: RACC looking for person who left now deceased puppy in dumpster
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A six-week-old puppy that was abandoned in a plastic bag inside a dumpster has sparked outrage in central Virginia.
Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) was called to the Rivertowne Apartment Homes located in the 400 block of Westover Hills Boulevard on Friday, Aug. 12, at around 5:45 p.m. -- the puppy passed away the next day.
The puppy, named Sapphire by a vet clinician, was in a Wal-Mart bag soaked in her urine. It wasn’t until a resident heard Sapphire whimpering that he wrapped her in a t-shirt and called RACC.
The officer responded within 15 minutes and she was taken her to an emergency clinic in Short Pump.
Sapphire died at just six weeks old. (Courtesy of RACC)
“Putting a live puppy in a bag in the garbage is completely unacceptable," RACC director Christie Chipps Peters told 8News, “how cruel to do that to a living creature.”
Peters said it was shocking that Sapphire was still alive when they found her. They did everything they could to stabilize her but weren’t able to.
Now they want to find who did this.
“We have solved cases with less information than we have right now because incredible community members have come forward with what they know and what they have seen," Peters said.
RACC will be doing forensic testing by taking Sapphire’s DNA which they’ll bank until they find a suspect.
That DNA will then be tested on something of the suspect’s to get a match. This is a method they've used to win animal cruelty cases before and have a great relationship with a team in the Richmond Police Department.
“We were already beginning the conversations of, you know, this is an act of cruelty and starting that investigation," Peters said.
There were no immediate signs of injuries on Sapphire, and she was able to get her medical care thanks to the "Team Tommie" license plates. All proceeds from the plates go toward emergency medical care for animals in need across the state.
In the meantime, they’re digging through what security footage they can and are hoping the community can provide any clues about a suspect.
“We really rely on the community at large for these cases and so we’re so grateful to have this opportunity to ask the community to come forward because someone has seen this puppy before and someone know whose it is," Peters told 8News.
Peters said if she could talk to the person what did this, she just wants to know why. She added that if you can’t take care of your pet, ask for help.
“If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot take care of a pet or your pet is sick or injured of needs help, that’s what we’re here for," she said.
Peters said when they find a suspect, they’ll be charged with felony animal cruelty punishable by up to five years in prison.
Tips can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers or you can contact RACC.
