(KTLA) — A one-year-old terrier mix tossed into a self-compacting trash can in Los Angeles County last week was rescued just in time by a police officer — who days later returned to give the puppy a forever home.
According to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, a Gardena police officer heard faint whimpers coming from a trash can outside a local church during the busy holiday rush late last month.
“Inside, the officer found a small, scared dog, now known as Flan, who had been tossed away like trash,” spcaLA said in a statement.
A puppy is seen after a police officer saved him from a self-compacting trash can in Gardena. December 2025. (spcaLA) 
A police officer saved a puppy from this self-compacting trash can in Gardena. December 2025. (spcaLA) 
A puppy is seen after a police officer saved him from a self-compacting trash can in Gardena. December 2025. (spcaLA)
The officer rescued the puppy and contacted Gardena Animal Control. Flan was then taken to the spcaLA South Bay Adoption Center, where he received medical care, nutritious food and shelter while completing a mandatory stray hold.
Security cameras were present outside the church, spcaLA said, but the footage was not released to police. The nonprofit did not immediately say whether the incident remains under investigation.
However, what could have ended tragically instead turned into a happy ending.
Days after the rescue, the same officer returned to the adoption center — this time with his family — to adopt Flan and give him what spcaLA described as “the safe and loving home he deserves.”
“This is one rescue we’ll never forget,” the nonprofit said.