On Oct. 30, 2014, Nathan Binnie, a garbage collector from New Stanton, Pa., was working outside a home on Yellow Pine Lane when he discovered an emaciated female dog inside a garbage can. Thanks to his discovery, the “skin-and-bones” dog was saved.
“It was just one of those cans I didn’t pick up and just throw in my truck,” said Binnie. “You could see every bone. [The dog was] shivering and shaking. It was just horrific.”
The garbage man freed the canine from the garbage bag and can she was in, fed her his lunch and then waited for authorities to arrive and rescue her. An officer from the humane society took the ten-month-old shepherd mix to the Humane Society of Westmoreland County.
According to Jan Dillon, an agent with the humane society, the trash can puppy was dehydrated and very malnourished. Veterinarians weren’t able to draw blood from her to start a full health check up.
“We checked the kidney and liver functions. But she is eating small amounts of food. That’s all we can do to build her up, just give her small amounts of food every three hours or so,” said Dillon.
There is an open investigation to get to the bottom of the neglect and abuse this dog was put through. Authorities learned the dog’s owner moved out of state on Monday, Oct. 27th, but they don’t know how the pet ended up discarded inside the garbage can.
The Humane Society of Westmoreland County is caring for the pet and the dog is in foster care. Once she is fully recovered she will be available for adoption.
To learn more about the dog and how you can help, visit the organization’s website or Facebook page.
