New Haven, Connecticut — A heartbreaking discovery beside a dumpster has turned into a desperate fight to save four newborn puppies after a good Samaritan found six tiny dogs abandoned inside a hamper and contacted New Haven Animal Control. The puppies were so young that rescuers believe they may have been only about a day old when they were left behind.
According to Army’s Legacy Rescue, the puppies still had wet umbilical cords with traces of blood when they were found, suggesting they had been born only hours earlier.
Six Newborn Puppies Found Beside Dumpster
Rebekah DeMatteo of Army’s Legacy Rescue said the puppies may have been approximately 24 hours old when rescuers took them in.
Their extremely young age meant they required immediate and intensive care. At the time they were rescued, all six puppies were alive, but two have since died.
The four survivors have been given the names Ferrari, Lamborgini, Maserati and Rolls Royce as rescuers work around the clock to give them a chance at survival.
DeMatteo said the puppies’ mother could still be searching for them, making the circumstances especially painful for those caring for the animals.
“Mom is probably losing her mind looking for her babies, which is heartbreaking,” DeMatteo said.
Three Puppies Are Doing Well
Three of the surviving puppies are reportedly healthy and progressing well under the care of Army’s Legacy Rescue.
Because the puppies are too young to eat on their own, rescuers are providing bottle feedings every two hours, along with continuous monitoring and care.
Their condition remains fragile, however, because they are still within the earliest and most dangerous period of their lives.
Rescuers believe the puppies may be a mix of Catahoula Leopard Dog and pit bull, meaning they could eventually grow into medium- to large-sized dogs.
Their eyes are expected to begin opening at around 14 days old, but getting them safely through the first several weeks is the immediate priority.
One Puppy Remains in Critical Condition
The most serious concern is Rolls Royce, one of the four surviving puppies.
The puppy is currently receiving treatment at Guilford Animal Medical Hospital, where veterinary staff are reportedly doing everything possible to stabilize the newborn.
“They’re pulling out all the stops to give this puppy the best chance of survival,” DeMatteo said.
Rescuers believe the puppies could remain in a particularly critical period for approximately another seven days. The goal is to get all four through the next few weeks before eventually beginning the process of accepting adoption applications.
Police Investigate Who Abandoned the Puppies
While rescuers focus on keeping the puppies alive, New Haven Animal Control and police are trying to determine who left them beside the dumpster.
Officer Christian Bruckhardt of the New Haven Police Department said criminal charges could potentially result, although investigators also need to determine whether there were circumstances that could explain what happened.
“Could charges result? Yeah they could, absolutely,” Bruckhardt said, while emphasizing that investigators want to understand the full situation.
Authorities are asking anyone who knows of a dog that may have recently given birth to contact animal control.
Rescue Offers $5,000 Reward for Information
Desmond’s Army is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in connection with the puppies’ abandonment.
Rescuers are also reminding the public that people struggling to care for animals can seek help rather than abandoning them.
“These are animals that need basically 24-hour care. To leave them next to a dumpster — that’s a heartbreaking thing to do,” Bruckhardt said.
DeMatteo added that rescues would have been willing to help if someone had simply reached out.
The four puppies now face a difficult first few weeks, but rescuers remain focused on keeping them alive and eventually finding them safe, loving homes.
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