Three puppies found abandoned in trash bag at park

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. -- Three very young terrier puppies are alive and well after being found in a trash bag Monday near a garbage can in Pleasant Hill's Paso Nogal Park, Contra Costa County animal control officials said.

A man and woman were walking their Australian shepherd in the park when the dog alerted them to the trash bag, which had been tied shut with the puppies inside. The animals were taken home, cleaned up, fed and brought in to the Contra Costa Animal Services shelter.

Rick Golphin, the agency's deputy director, said the puppies are in good hands and can be put up for adoption in a day or two.

"They've all been medically assessed," Golphin said. "We'll probably make a decision on making them available (Wednesday). At that time, they will be available to the public unless something else occurs."

Anyone with information about the former owners of the puppies or how they came to be found in a trash bag in the park is asked to call (925) 335-8366.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Contra Costa Animal Services can contact volunteer coordinator Cindy Smith at (925) 335-8300.