The law enforcement officials conducted a raid on the property in the Cuyama Valley, California, on Sept. 26, 2018, and confiscated US$3 million worth of illegal marijuana plants. On top of this, one of the detectives then discovered something disturbing during the final inspection of the property.
There, lying among the fertilizers and hazardous chemicals “in temperatures around 90 degrees,” was a very forlorn and heat-affected puppy without water or food.
Stacy Silva, the animal center’s spokesperson, updated about the rescue on the Facebook page of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
“When the puppy arrived at the Santa Maria Animal Center he was lethargic, salivating profusely, and he was reported to have vomited,” Silva wrote.
Silva said that after an initial assessment by the vet team at the center, the pup was sent to an animal hospital for further checkup.
Luckily, the little furry one was doing all fine and was given a clean bill of health.
With all the love and attention the abandoned pup was getting, in no time, his playful personality began to shine through.
“He was returned to the Santa Maria Animal Center the following morning as a bright, playful, happy 3-month-old puppy,” Silva wrote.
She said that the pup will remain in their care “until his holding period is up and then be reunited and adopted by his rescuers.”
One of the detectives who discovered the puppy was so enamored with him that he decided to give him a forever home.
“The detective, whose identity is being withheld due to his assignment, said he is pleased to have the puppy join his family and become a new addition to the Sheriff’s Office family as well,” Silva added.
She noted that the detective said “This little guy made quite the impression on every detective and deputy on scene. He is a little fighter and has quite the story to tell. I am excited to give him the home he deserves.”
Social media users praised the officers for rescuing the dog, and shared their concerns over abandoning pets and animal cruelty.
Though it’s a happy ending for this little fella, it might not be so happy for the owners of the illegal marijuana crop, who fled the scene to avoid arrest.
