Overview
- A caller reported faint whimpering from a locked self-compacting trash can outside a Gardena church on Normandie Avenue.
- Gardena Animal Control sought help from police, then firefighters cut the lock to access the bin and free the terrier mix.
- The dog received medical care at spcaLA South Bay, was scanned for a microchip, and completed the mandatory three-day stray hold.
- After the hold expired, Sgt. Nick Beerling returned on Christmas Eve with his family to adopt the pup, now named Norm.
- Security cameras near the site captured video, but SPCA LA said the footage was not released to police.