Photo of Deborah Sue Culwell from KNBC. Photos of the seven puppies from Riverside Animal Services.
A woman, suspected of dumping seven newborn puppies into a dumpster last week has been arrested in Coachella, California.
According to a statement from Riverside Animal Services, Deborah Sue Culwell was apprehended last night at her home by Commander Chris Mayer. Culwell is facing up to seven counts of felony animal cruelty.
As per the local ABC affiliate, approximately 38 dogs were found at the residence and impounded to make sure they were properly fed and cared for at a shelter in Thousand Palms.
May these dogs never be returned to Culwell and be placed in loving new forever homes.
The appalling incident took place on Thursday of last week when an employee with a Napa Auto Parts store contacted Riverside County Animal Services after a passerby discovered the bag, containing the approximately 3-day-old puppies that are believed to be terrier mixes.
Animal Services’ veterinary team members cared for the puppies and lined up a rescue group partner organization to take over bottle feeding duties. MeoowzResQ, a Southern California-based organization specializing in kitten and cat rescue pulled the pups and Feline Underground Network is supporting the rescued animals foster mom, Noni Boen Schirm.
“There is no excuse for dumping puppies,” Mayer said. “Especially in today’s age when we or other shelters would be willing to get these animals to foster parents or rescue partners.”
Surveillance footage from the store’s security cameras confirmed that “a woman in a Jeep pulled up, exited the Jeep carrying a plastic bag in one of her hands, and walked toward a dumpster used for recycling materials. She dropped the clear, plastic bag in the trash Dumpster and drove away.”
Shortly afterward, a passerby named John, rummaged through the trash and noticed the bag and brought it into the Napa store. If not for the Good Samaritan’s actions, the puppies may not have survived much longer. The mid-day temperatures in Coachella on Thursday were in the mid-90s.
Schirm has been posting updates on the puppies HERE!
