Dead puppy discovered in Issaquah trash bin

An abandoned puppy was found dead this week in the same Issaquah trash bin where King County Animal Services discovered six malnourished and dehydrated pups clinging to life last Thursday.

The puppy, which belonged to the same golden retriever/Labrador mix litter, was found Monday buried underneath layers of garbage, said Al Dams, acting manager for Animal Services.

One of the six puppies taken to the Kent Animal Shelter died the night after being rescued. The remaining five are gaining weight and headed for foster homes. They will be ready for adoption by late February.

It's "highly likely" the female puppy found Monday was already dead when she was put in the trash bin, Dams said.

No one spotted the puppy, which was separated from the rest of the litter, during the initial search, he said. An Animal Services officer discovered the body during a follow-up search of the trash bin.

A necropsy performed Tuesday revealed that the puppy was worm-ridden and appeared to have died from malnourishment, dehydration and exposure to the cold, Dams said. She weighed 2.9 pounds.

Authorities are pursuing five tips from the public. Whoever abandoned the animals could be charged with first-degree animal cruelty, a felony. Conviction could bring a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

An anonymous caller alerted authorities to the puppies last week after hearing cries from the waste bin on the 11400 block of the Issaquah-Hobart Road. The six puppies were inside a large computer box.

Doctors now estimate that the puppies are between 7 and 9 weeks old, Dams said.

The shelter has fielded at least a dozen calls this week from prospective owners, Dams said.

Anyone with information about the case should call 206-296-3958.

A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com