Police in Healdsburg are searching for a runaway puppy after a litter of eight was found abandoned on the side of Westside Road Wednesday morning.
According to the Press Democrat, a passerby discovered seven Australian cattle dog mixes locked inside a crate that had been zip-tied shut; an eighth puppy was spotted nearby but ran off. Animal Services has since set a trap to rescue the final pup.
Officials say the abandonment likely stems from a surge in unintentional litters following the pandemic. The rescued puppies are now at the county shelter awaiting evaluation for adoption.
Anyone unable to care for a pet is urged to contact local shelters directly rather than leaving animals on the roadside.