Dog Found in SE DC Dumpster Survives

The Washington Humane Society is offering a $1,000 reward in the disturbing case of a pit bull found inside a trash bag in a Southeast Washington dumpster, clinging to life despite being wounded in what investigators believe was a dog fight.

The dog was discovered on Friday, August, 7 by a women taking trash to the dumpster, which is located behind an apartment building in the 4220 block of 9th Street Southeast. The little brown pit bull was inside a black plastic trash bag wrapped in duct tape. Desperate to survive after being thrown in the trash, she chewed a hole just large enough for someone to notice her.

"He was in a bag at first," said Leroy Robinson, one of the first residents of the building who tried to help the dog. ”And he came out of the bag and stuck his head out of the door as if he was trying to get out of the trash can door, but he couldn't get out."

Three days after being rescued from the dumpster, Trooper, as she is being called, is still a little bit cautious, standing silent inside the Friendship Animal Hospital in Northwest with her tail between her legs.

"She's probably one of the worst I've personally ever seen," said Dr. Ashley Hughes. "She was in a lot of pain. We immediately started her on some IV fluids to sustain her and put her on some pain medication."

Officer Eve Russell with the Washington Humane Society happened to be nearby when the call came in.

"It was one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen,” said Officer Russell. ”She was covered in flies. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe anybody would do that."

Officer Russell thinks whoever threw the dog in the dumpster may have thought she was already dead.

"That's why we named her Trooper," said Officer Russell in an interview at the hospital. "She wanted to get out-- she did not want to be in that bag anymore."

Now Officer Russell says she is hoping to find the people responsible for disposing of the dog like a piece of trash. She’s posted flyers throughout the neighborhood, offering $1,000 in return for a name.

The vets at Friendship think the pup will pull through. She is now eating and showing other signs of improving health.

As for dog fighting, Officer Russell says it has decreased considerably in recent years, but still goes on in alleys and garages. She says the people behind the fights are hard to catch.