PHOENIX — Three young dogs that fended for themselves for nearly a week after being dumped by South Mountain have been adopted.
Even better news— the puppies were adopted by the same family and will stay together.
“My husband and I found them hiking on that mountain,” said Yesenia Gallardo. “That mountain is full of coyotes. They could’ve easily become prey.”
Those pups could have been prey, or starved to death in the wilderness.
The litter of pups, believed to be around eight months old, was abandoned and a nearby neighbor caught the act on their home surveillance camera.
In the video, a black SUV is seen driving away while the dogs try to chase after it.
Neighbors said they had been trying to get to the dogs, but said they were skittish and would run away.
A non-profit called HARTT, Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team, helped get the puppies off the mountain.
“This one, I call her ‘Honey.’ She’s just a cuddle bug,” said Gallardo.
The pups are safe now and their rescuers are over the moon that they were adopted. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control was set to pick them up Friday if they weren't adopted or picked up by another rescue.
Another dog in the litter was taken in by the Arizona Humane Society to be treated for injuries.
“They’re a little skittish and a little scared but you can also see they are very loving and they want that warmth from someone that could take care of them,” said Gallardo.
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