Puppies Found Stuffed In Abandoned Suitcase In Tampa Neighborhood

TAMPA, Fla. - The pink Las Vegas-themed suitcase promised a fun-filled trip. But the whimpers and squeals coming from inside the suitcase indicated anything but a good time.

Two Tampa police officers were on patrol Wednesday in a neighborhood off Spruce Street and Dale Mabry Highway when they noticed an unattended suitcase outside a vacation rental home in the neighborhood.

Upon closer inspection, the officers heard muffled cries coming from inside the suitcase and promptly unzipped it, revealing six puppies crammed inside the luggage.

Earlier in the day, the officers came upon an agitated female terrier-mix dog and her puppy running loose on the busy streets of the same neighborhood. They promptly scooped up both mom and pup and took them to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Armenia Avenue.

Sensing something amiss, the officers decided to return to the neighborhood to investigate further. That's when they noticed the suitcase in front of the rental home.

They immediately took the six puppies to the Humane Society and reunited them with their mom and sibling.

While the Humane Society has rescued pets from some unusual circumstances, the staff said finding six puppies in a suitcase was a first.

When the Humane Society posted the story and photos on its Facebook page, nearly 360 people commented, outraged that someone could stuff puppies into a suitcase and then abandon it, leaving the puppies to either suffocate or starve.

At the same time, those posting comments lauded the police officers for rescuing the mom and pup and then following up on their instincts that something was awry, prompting them to return to the scene where they discovered the suitcase filled with puppies.

"We are so grateful they returned to the scene to save these puppies," commented the Humane Society on its Facebook page. "Thank you, TPD, for taking care of these puppies and bringing them to us. It takes all of us to protect the animals in our community."

The Humane Society reported that the mother and all seven of her puppies are doing well.

"Mom is here resting and all seven 5-week-old puppies are in our puppy nursery being taken care of by our amazing staff," the shelter said.

Nevertheless, the police want to hold the person who abandoned the mother dog and cruelly placed her puppies in the suitcase accountable. They're asking anyone with information to call the Tampa police at 813-231-6130.