Puppy rescued from rubbish bin may be put down

Chip was found abandoned in a rubbish bin. Photo / Jonathan Robins

An Auckland electrician who rescued a young pup out of a rubbish bin is disappointed to his good deed might end with it being put down.

Jonathan Robins, 29, had rescued the male pup it from a bin on Williamson Ave at about 7.15am yesterday.

"I just pulled over to put rubbish into a bin; then lo and behold a little head popped out at me."

Mr Robins said aside from being a little skinny, the pup, who he nicknamed Chip - after chip off the old block - seemed playful and happy.

He said the little fella, who he set up in a box with a bowl of water and something warm at his office, proved popular with his colleagues.

"Everyone wanted to adopt him."

Chip is at risk of being put down. Photo / Jonathan Robins

Because animal management had already been called, they thought it best to let the authorities deal with Chip.

But in a tragic turn of events for the good Samaritan, it seems as if the rescue pup was at risk of being put down.

Koreen Morrell, 29, had hoped to give Chip a home but was disappointed when she was told over the phone by an animal shelter worker he'd likely be put down, because he was part pitbull.

"It's disappointing, he looked like a cute beautiful puppy, I'm sure with the right upbringing he would have done well," she said. "I'm so gutted and heartbroken, his photos made me really want him.

"We are such an animal family, we have had millions of animals in our time. It's really cruel an innocent puppy that hasn't done anything wrong has to get put down."

Mr Robins was equally disappointed to hear about the developments and said he'd never have called the centre if he'd known what would happen.

"I'd have taken him home," he said, "I'd go and get him back if I could."

He said he visited the centre again yesterday, explained who he was, and asked to see young Chip, but his request was denied by staff.

"I was told he was in isolation because he was very skinny," he said.

"I wanted to just remove him from the shelter and take him home to no luck."

Auckland Council manager animal management Geoff Keber said no decision had been made to put the puppy down.

The pup has been nicknamed Chip. Photo / Jonathan Robins

"We have concerns about its health, at this stage looking after the welfare of the dog is our top priority. No other assessment has been made.

"Only after the dog is healthy will we assess whether the dog is suitable for adoption."

He said the dog's potential owner would also be given the opportunity to claim their pet, but if no-one came forward assessments would then be undertaken to assess the puppy's suitability to be adopted out.

"We do this to ensure the adoption will be safe and health for both potential owners and the animal."

A Facebook page has been started in support of the puppy.