After being abandoned in a trash can in Gardena, a Terrier mix puppy will soon have a place to call home with the same person who helped rescue him.
Gardena Sgt. Nick Beerling was out working when he says they received a call about whimpering coming from a trash can outside a local church.
Animal control officers were sent to the area and they then called Gardena police for some help because the trash can was locked, Beerling said. The fire department was then called for help to cut the lock off of the trash can.
Once they had access to the trash can, Beerling said they saw the dog sitting on top of the trash whimpering and shaking.
“We looked into it a little bit further and found out it was like a self-compacting type trash can that eventually would have, unfortunately might have crushed him,” Beerling said.
The dog was taken to spcaLA where he was given medical care and some food. He was checked for a microchip and stayed the mandatory stray hold of three days in case someone claimed him, according to spcaLA.
After the three day hold, Beerling returned to spcaLA South Bay with his family on Christmas Eve to give the once abandoned pup the loving home he needs.
The spcaLA had named the dog Flan, but according to Beerling, he will now be named Norm since he was found on Normandie Avenue.
Beerling said his wife had already been interested in getting a dog, and once he met Norm he thought he could be a good fit for his family.
“The girls and I have been trying to convince him to get another pet for a while and he hasn’t wanted to commit but this little guy just tugged on his heart,” his wife said.
The family is currently on vacation, but they are expected to have their dog home with them soon.