LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A man allegedly tried to kill several puppies by covering them in cleaning products and placing them in a trash bag in a dumpster because he was getting evicted, according to police documents.
Michael Grindrod, 39, faces several charges of animal abuse following his arrest on Nov. 6. Grindrod works at the apartment complex where officers found the animals, police said, adding that Grindrod was recently fired.
On Nov. 5, Las Vegas Metro police responded to a call about five puppies inside a dumpster. Responding officers noticed the puppies smelled like chlorine, the documents said.
Police said Grindrod had eight puppies in his custody, five of which ended up in the dumpster, documents said. The organization also took in the puppies’ mother, Zoey.
Police delivered the puppies to The Animal Foundation for treatment. Wagging Tails Rescue stepped in to help take in Zoey and her eight puppies over the weekend, according to The Animal Foundation. The rescue nicknamed the family of dogs “Zoey and her Zoo.” Each puppy was set to be named after a zoo animal.
Grindrod told police he was getting evicted and was trying to get rid of the dogs, documents said. A witness later told police that Grindrod told them he planned to put the puppies in a trash bag and cover them with “chloroforms,” documents said.
Grindrod later described the substance as a mix of bleach and another cleaning fluid, police said.
A ninth puppy was euthanized due to blood in its chest, and while the other puppies are doing well, it’s not immediately clear if there will be lasting effects from the cleaning product that was found inside the bag.
The Animal Foundation wants to remind the community that there are other options for unwanted pets, including a pet food pantry and its pet support hotline open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day to help.
Grindrod remained in custody Tuesday since police also arrested him on an active warrant for a case involving a stolen vehicle, documents said.
