Video: Man abandons puppy outside animal urgent care facility in Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo Animal Services released a heartbreaking video on Monday that shows a man abandoning a puppy outside a local animal urgent care facility, leaving the pup scared and disoriented “in the middle of coyote country.”

Surveillance cameras captured the incident, which happened at around 3:25 a.m. on April 10.

In the 34-second video, a man is seen getting out of a red, four-door car. He walks toward the facility’s front gate and tosses the puppy through the railings onto the cement.

Once the puppy hits the ground, it turns toward the gate, peering out at the street as the man walks backs to his car and gets in.

The pup can be seen sniffing the ground and walking. As the man drives away, the pup looks out toward the street one more time.

According to Mission Viejo Animal Services, the puppy managed to make its way to the urgent animal care facility’s front door. A veterinary team brought the puppy inside, conducted a medical evaluation and called Mission Viejo Animal Services.

Animal Services is investigating the case as abandonment, which is illegal under California law. If someone can’t care for a pet, local animal services agencies offer resources to safely and humanely surrender animals.

“This is a deeply troubling and unacceptable act,” said Mission Viejo Animal Services Director Brynn Lavison. “There are safe, humane, and legal options for individuals who are unable to care for an animal. Abandoning a defenseless puppy in this manner not only endangers the animal but is also a violation of the law.”

The puppy is currently being cared for by Mission Viejo Animal Services and may soon be available for adoption. On Monday, Animal Services said the pup was “doing well.”

Meanwhile, investigators are trying to identify the man who abandoned the puppy. Anyone with information can contact Mission Viejo Animal Services at (949) 470-3045 or via email at animalservices@cityofmissionviejo.org.