Kentucky: Dog thrown out in trash compactor saved by maintenance worker

KENTUCKY -- A dog was thrown out like a piece of garbage and almost crushed inside a trash compactor. Fortunately, a malfunction in the trash compactor and a curious maintenance man saved the dog's life.

"It just saddens me what we do to our animals, how we mistreat them sometimes," said Leslie Hawk, with Louisville Metro Animal Services.

LMAS is investigating what happened and who is responsible.

"[The dog] was very well nourished, he looked like he was really well cared for, so we're puzzled as to what happened," said Hawk.

One thing they know is that he is very lucky. He was found Saturday inside a trash compactor at Norton Commons in east Louisville.

A maintenance man checked the trash compactor Saturday to see why it was not working and found the dog locked in a cage inside.

"You can imagine what would've happened had that trash compactor actually worked when the maintenance gentleman went outside to turn it on, luckily it malfunctioned and did not come on," said Hawk.

It's not clear whether the cage the dog was in caused the malfunction. A man who lives nearby says the maintenance worker took action.

"He heard the dog, started digging all the trash out, found the dog, and called the authorities," said Paul Franklin.

When Franklin heard what happened, he ran right over.

"We've gotta find out whose dog this is. Because the dog deserves justice," said Franklin.

He snapped a picture and pleaded for tips online, hoping someone might recognize the dog.

"It went viral, it went crazy. Really couldn't be happier with the results and the outcry of people trying to help this dog," said Franklin.

LMAS believes the dog is a terrier-beagle mix and is between 1 and 3-years-old.

"If someone doesn't want their dog all they have to do is bring it to us, we'll find it a home or a rescue, that's what we do," said Hawk.

By the looks of his wagging tail in video sent by LMAS, the little dumpster doggy is happy to be living.

"The dog is in very good spirits and is happy to be out of the trash compactor and getting lots of loving," said Hawk.

Animal cruelty charges are possible. Any tips can be called in to Louisville Metro Animal Services at (502) 473-7387.

Officials say if an owner does not come forward, the dog will eventually be up for adoption.

(WDRB - Jan 18, 2016)