NewsNational

Actions

California woman who left bag of puppies in a dumpster pleads guilty, sentenced to one year in jail

Posted at 9:56 AM, Aug 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-16 11:03:52-04

A California woman who was caught on security camera leaving seven infant puppies in a dumpster pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges Thursday, the Desert Sun reported.

Deborah Sue Culwell was sentenced to 365 days in a county jail. Ninety of those days will be served on a work-release program.

On April 18, surveillance video captured Culwell pull up to an auto parts store in southern California and leave a bag with seven three-day-old puppies in a dumpster.

The dogs, believed to be terrier mixes, stayed in the trash in the 90-degree heat until a passerby heard the puppies' squeals.

The puppies were then taken to a local vet. One of the dogs died due to dehydration.

A day after Culwell was arrested, the Riverside County Animal Services said it removed and impounded 38 dogs from Culwell's home. All of those dogs were found to be in "somewhat healthy condition."

Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.