Man caught on video abandoning puppy in Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (KABC) -- A man was caught on video abandoning a puppy in Mission Viejo, leaving it alone in what animal services officials described as coyote country.

It happened in the early morning hours Friday, according to investigators with Mission Viejo Animal Services. Surveillance video shows the man outside an animal urgent care facility in the area and dropping the puppy through the closed gate, leaving it alone.

He returned to his car and drove away.

"After being abandoned, the puppy, visibly distressed, made its way to the nearby urgent animal care facility, where it sought help at the front door. Staff described the situation as heartbreaking, noting the puppy appeared scared and disoriented but was fortunate to have found its way to safety," animal services officials said in a statement.

Officials say the puppy is receiving medical attention, but is doing well overall.

The puppy is estimated to be about eight weeks old.

Staff explained that if the owner was overwhelmed, there are better ways to surrender an animal.

"It is a crime to abandon an animal," said Mission Viejo Animal Services manager Kyle Werner. "Obviously, with the circumstances the way it happened, we're concerned with the way the animal was left here unattended. We'll deal with that with the owner."

ABC7 has learned officials are no longer looking for the puppy's original owner. He's been identified and interviewed.

The puppy isn't up for adoption just yet. It may take up to 30 days because of the investigation, or potentially sooner. But the plan is to find her a new loving home, and several applications have already been submitted.