Puppies Stuffed In Sealed Bag Found In Escondido Park

ESCONDIDO, CA – Nine puppies crammed inside an empty dog-food bag, that was sealed with duct tape, were found Thursday by an individual at Kit Carson Park in Escondido, and a search now is on for the person responsible for the abandonment, according to San Diego Humane Society authorities.

The puppies, who appear to be 10- to 14-day-old Shar Pei mixes, were cold, dehydrated and covered in urine and excrement inside the bag when found, the agency said.

"This is a heartbreaking case, because we would have taken those puppies at San Diego Humane Society, no questions asked," Humane Society Law Enforcement Sgt. Laurel Monreal said. "Anyone who needs help with their animals can bring them to us. We are an open-admission shelter."

Medical staff treated the rescued pups with baths, fluids and multiple feedings before they were moved into foster homes for around-the-clock care, officials said.

After receiving the puppies, the Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement unit subsequently began an felony cruelty investigation.

San Diego Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information can call the anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477 or visit the Crime Stoppers' website at sdcrimestoppers.org.

Tips also can be reported to Humane Society’s law enforcement at 619-299-7012.

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--Images via San Diego Humane Society/City News Service contributed to this report