UPDATE: The Animal Rescue League’s Animal Control division has identified a person of interest in the case of Oscar, the emaciated dog who was found abandoned in a Des Moines dumpster.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Derrick Dewayne Peterson.
Anyone who has any information on his whereabouts should contact Des Moines non-emergency police dispatch at (515) 283-4811.
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DES MOINES, Iowa- The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is taking care of an emaciated dog found in a dumpster at 6th and Forest Avenues in Des Moines. The ARL says it appears the dog had been placed in a kennel in the dumpster, and the kennel broke open. The dog had climbed to the top of a trash pile, and was spotted by someone.
Officials say the dog, named Oscar, weighed four pounds, had zero body fat, hair loss, and parasites, but is making a good recovery.
“Over the past several days our medical team has been helping him safely regain weight and begin to return to health. This poor guy was so hungry that once he began having food again, his body immediately responded. In the first 48 hours he regained 25% of his body weight! He is so sweet. He wants to be near people at all times and especially loves being held. It is unimaginable that anyone could look into Oscar’s eyes and just throw him away,” said Tom Colvin, CEO for the ARL.
Anyone with information is asked to contact ARL Animal Control Officer Tina at 515-208-9248 or tupdegrove@arl-iowa.org. Callers can remain anonymous.