California Dog Abandoned in Compactor Trash Can Finds Home on Christmas Eve with a Familiar Friend

A tiny stray dog’s life took a dramatic turn days before Christmas, after being discovered trapped inside a self-compacting trash can in Gardena, California.

While walking along Normandy Avenue, a police officer heard faint whimpers coming from a nearby trash compactor, according to SPCA LA and the Los Angeles Times. When he opened the bin, Sgt. Nick Beerling found a small, terrified dog inside. The compactor uses a hydraulic ram powered by solar panels—making the situation especially dangerous.

Beerling believes the dog had been deliberately abandoned and thrown into the container.

The terrier mix was “sitting on top of the trash, just kind of whimpering and shaking, looking for help,” Beerling told NBC Los Angeles.

Gardena Animal Control safely rescued the dog, who was then taken to the SPCA LA South Bay Pet Adoption Center for care, according to ABC 7. The pup remained there for the required stray hold period.

Though the dog was now safe, the rescue stayed with Beerling. On Christmas Eve, he returned to the shelter with his family and officially adopted the dog.

“The girls and I have been trying to convince him to get another pet for a while, and he hasn’t wanted to commit,” a family member told NBC Los Angeles. “But this little guy just tugged on his heart.”

Shelter staff initially named the 1-year-old dog Flan, inspired by the color of his fur, according to the Los Angeles Times. After joining his new family, he was given a permanent name: Norm, a nod to Normandy Avenue where he was found.

Norm will also have a furry companion at home. The Beerling family already has a Shih Tzu, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Although security cameras were located outside a nearby church close to where the dog was abandoned, the footage was not released to police, according to SPCA LA.

“Despite this,” the shelter wrote, “Flan’s resilience and the officer’s quick actions have turned a tragic situation into a happy ending.”