Fifteen puppies crammed into a plastic container and dumped by the side of the road in Sherbrooke are now in the care of the animal protection.

The puppies, Labrador and boxer crosses, were found piled one on top of each other in a plastic bin that measured less than two feet wide by a foot high.

Whoever abandoned the animals placed a cover on the box before ditching it near a ravine. They were found only 500 metres from the Société Protectrice des Animaux de L’Estrie.

A technician with the SPA came across the animals while driving to work on Wednesday.

“She saw all those puppies were starting to come out of the box, so she stopped and gathered every one of them in her car and came to the SPA,” said Bergeron.

The puppies were crammed in this plastic bin when they were abandoned by the side of the road. SPA L’Estrie If the puppies hadn’t been able to open the container themselves, they could have suffocated, she said.

The dogs are too young to be put up for adoption right away. Four families have volunteered to foster them for three weeks until they are old enough to return to the shelter for their vaccinations and to be spayed and neutered.

Anyone who wants to adopt one can contact the SPA once they are returned to the shelter, Bergeron said.

Despite their ordeal, the puppies are all doing well.

“They’re so sweet. They’re alive. They play together and they’re in good health,” she said.

Abandoning an animal in distress is a criminal act in Canada and can result in a fine up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail.

Animal welfare officials still don’t know why someone would abandon the animals, especially since there is no charge to surrender them to the SPA and they were found so close to the shelter.

“We don’t understand why that person didn’t come to us – that’s why we exist, ” Bergeron said.

“If someone witnessed something Wednesday morning or recognizes those pets, we invite that person to call us. All the information is kept confidential, and maybe we’ll understand what happened.”