Overview
- Gardena animal control requested police assistance after reports of whimpering from a locked trash can outside a local church.
- Firefighters cut the lock, and officers found a shaking Terrier-mix puppy sitting on top of the trash.
- Responders learned the receptacle was a self-compacting unit that posed a risk of crushing the animal.
- At spcaLA South Bay, the puppy received medical care, food and a microchip check before the mandatory three-day hold.
- With no owner coming forward, Sgt. Nick Beerling adopted the dog on Christmas Eve, and his family plans to rename him Norm and bring him home soon.