Dog Found In West Islip Gas Station Dumpster Ready For Adoption

BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The dog that was found in a dumpster on Long Island will be put up for adoption.

The Town of Islip Animal Shelter will begin accepting applications and screening those who want to adopt the 1-year-old Lhasa Apso.

The grey-colored pooch named Miracle was found matted and dirty in a dumpster behind a gas station in West Islip on Christmas Eve. Authorities believe she chewed her way out a plastic bag before she was found by a homeless man who was dumpster diving and taken to an animal hospital, CBS 2's Dana Tyler reported.

"He actually looked in the dumpster for cans and bottles and when he saw the dog he was shocked and he jumped," Detective Paul Llobell said.

She has since made a full recovery.

Police quickly tracked the surveillance footage to Michael Papini, 30, an employee at an animal shelter.

Papini, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty and animal abandonment in connection with the case.

Authorities said Papini was paid $500 by an acquaintance to take her dogs to the shelter because she could no longer care for them.

Prosecutors said Papini let a poodle out into the street and threw Miracle into the dumpster.

Shelter operators said that the experience has scarred Miracle.

"You can see she's a bit nervous but she was malnourished and treated poorly," Islip Town Board member, Anthony Senft said, "Over the last few weeks she's been basically brought back to life."

The poodle was never found.

More than a dozen people have already signed up to adopt Miracle but shelter officials said that she can't be around other pets or small children because she is too traumatized from having to claw her way to freedom.

"To be wrapped up in a cardboard box with two plastic bags wrapped around it and to where it couldn't breathe and I believe the dog ate its way out of the box," Detective Llobell said.

Papini has been suspended from his job at the shelter.

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