By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • A Gardena, California, police officer rescued a puppy from inside a self-compacting trash can after hearing whimpering outside a church.
- • The approximately 1-year-old terrier mix was taken to an animal shelter and given food and care.
- • The officer returned on Christmas Eve to adopt the dog after its required stray hold period.
- • Shelter staff initially named the pup “Flan,” but the officer’s family chose the name “Norm.”
- • Security camera footage was available outside the scene but has not been released.
GARDENA, CA — A Gardena police officer rescued a small puppy from a self-compacting trash can outside a local church earlier this month and later adopted the dog, authorities and shelter officials said.
Responding to reports of faint whimpering and crying, Sgt. Nick Beerling located the approximately 1-year-old terrier mix sitting atop trash inside the compactor, according to the SPCA LA South Bay Adoption Center. Animal control officers helped remove the dog, who was then taken to the shelter for food, medical evaluation and a required stray hold period.
After the hold period expired, Beerling and his family visited the shelter on Christmas Eve and formally adopted the pup, shelter representatives said. The dog was initially named “Flan” at the shelter; the family chose the name “Norm,” referencing the street where the dog was found.
Shelter officials said security cameras were present outside the church where the trash compactor was located, but that footage has not been released to police.
Norm is expected to join his new family, including a resident Shih Tzu, officials said.