RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) - Dozens of dogs were found Tuesday at the home of a Coachella woman suspected of leaving puppies in a dumpster on a hot day, KABC reported.
Deborah Sue Culwell, 54, was charged with abandoning and injuring the 3-day-old puppies, the Riverside County district attorney’s office said.
Surveillance video showed a woman pulling up to a dumpster and throwing the bag of seven terrier puppies in the trash in before leaving the area in a Jeep Wrangler Friday.
A passerby found the dogs and left them at the front door of the Napa Auto Parts store in Coachella. If not for the man’s actions, the dogs might have died in the mid-90 degree temperatures, Riverside County Animal Services reported.
“The Good Samaritan played a major role in saving theses puppies’ lives,” Commander Chris Mayer said. “His actions were humane and heroic.”
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Animal Services team members and MeoowzResQ, a Southern California foster group, took responsibility for the puppies. The dogs are now recovering.
Investigators arrested Culwell Monday after tracking the Jeep’s license plate.
Another 38 dogs were found at Culwell’s home, according to KABC. Those dogs were taken to a shelter in Thousand Palms.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
