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'We tried to hold back tears': Dog abandoned in St. Louis dumpster rescued

Despite being left alone in a hot dumpster, the Stray Rescue of St. Louis said Malea is great with other dogs and is gentle with little kids.
Credit: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

ST. LOUIS — Rescuers were frustrated and disgusted when they got the call. An unnamed good neighbor told Stray Rescue of St. Louis that they saw a woman put a dog in a city dumpster on Monday.

But when they arrived at the scene, the frustration melted into love and empathy. The dog greeted the rescuers with tail wags, licks and whines before letting them lift her out of the dumpster and get her out of the heat.

The rescue was captured on video and posted on the shelter's Facebook page and has been viewed by over 29,000 people, who shared their own love for the dog and frustrations about the entire situation.

We tried to hold back tears but this really choked us up. This is frustrating and disgusting. The caller said he saw a woman put this dog in the dumpster, and that it was still alive. Yes, she’s alive. And she’s perfect in every way. She is not trash. We named her Malea. It was so hot inside, we’re thankful she didn’t pass out. We’re heading back to a full shelter now with not a single open spot to put her. But she’s safe and loved now. Who can foster Malea? You’ll be her hero, and ours. We need your help! Strayrescue.org/foster Strayrescue.org/adopt

Posted by Stray Rescue of St. Louis on Monday, October 23, 2023

"She’s perfect in every way. She is not trash," the rescue said in its post. "We named her Malea ... She’s safe and loved now."

The team made the rescue despite having a full shelter, but she immediately got loved on by a variety of people, including former Major League Baseball catcher Bengie Molina.

Credit: Stray Rescue of St. Louis

Malea has since been placed in the shelter's Rovernight program, which is used for people who are on the fence about adopting or who just want to take a dog home for a few days, according to the rescue's Director of Marketing Natalie Thomson.

"She's in a loving home being spoiled!" Thomson said. "She gets along great with other dogs and is gentle with little kids, too."

If you are interested in adding a furry friend to your family, click here to see all the adoptable cats and dogs at Stray Rescue.

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