Puppy is saved from a HEROIN overdose: Whimpering dog is found by cops 'near death' after swallowing opiates lying on the floor of his owner's pickup truck

  • Police were investigating a suspected theft at Home Depot in Carrollton, Texas
  • Upon being arrested, the suspects told cops they had a puppy in their truck
  • Cops found the chihuahua-mix puppy looking 'near death' on the floorboards 
  • Drug paraphernalia was also found strewn in the car
  • The pooch, named Lucky by cops, was saved by a vet from an 'opiate overdose'

By KIRI BLAKELEY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: | Updated:

Police who were called to a Home Depot in Texas to investigate a theft came across a far more distressing scene - a puppy dying from a heroin overdose.

When cops in Carrollton, Texas arrived at the scene on Tuesday to investigate a call about suspects changing price tags, the pair they arrested told them they had a puppy in their pickup truck. 

The officers were shocked at what they saw.

A four-month-old chihuahua-mix puppy lay on the floorboards of the vehicle, 'whimpering' and looking 'near death.'

The four-month-old chihuahua-mix puppy lay on the floorboards of the vehicle, 'whimpering' and clinging to life in Carrollton, Texas

The sweet tan puppy with the black snout was found lethargic and 'near death' in the back of his owners' pickup truck in Carrollton, Texas, said police

The pup, whom cops named Lucky, was rushed to North Texas Emergency Pet Clinic, where veterinarian Stacy Fowler (above) worked to save his life

The pup, whom cops named Lucky, was rushed to North Texas Emergency Pet Clinic, where veterinarian Stacy Fowler (above) worked to save Lucky's life

'[He] wasn’t in good shape,' Carrollton Police Department spokeswoman Jolene DeVito told KHOU. 

And it didn't take police long to figure out what might be wrong with the adorable but sick tan and black pooch.

'There was drug paraphernalia,' DeVito told 1080 KRLD. 'Eventually we did find drugs in the car and made sure the puppy got medical attention right away. Sure enough, he was basically suffering from a heroin overdose. He somehow ingested the heroin and was near death.' 

Police rushed the critical pup to the North Texas Emergency Vet Clinic.

Thomas Romero, 46
Nina Crawford, 38

Lucky's owners, Thomas Romero (left), 46, and Nina Crawford, 38, of Newark were charged with possession of heroin and changing tags on merchandise - they may get hit with animal cruelty charges

'He was extraordinarily lethargic, almost comatose, barely breathing, his heart rate was very, very slow, his body temperature was really low,' veterinarian Stacy Fowler, who treated the pup, told KHOU. 'He was really on the verge of not breathing. If he’d not received treatment he would’ve stopped breathing.'

The determined vets were able to bring the dog - whom the police named Lucky - back from the brink.

Lucky was transferred to Carrollton Animal Adoption Center (pictured) where he stayed for his recovery until he was adopted on Wednesday 

Lucky has been transferred to Carrollton Animal Adoption Center for his recovery, and hopefully soon will be up for adoption 

Lucky's owners, Thomas Romero, 46, and Nina Crawford, 38, of Newark were hit with charges for heroin possession, and fraudulent destruction, removal, or concealment of writing for allegedly switching price tags.

They will also likely be slapped with animal cruelty charges, reported CBS News.

While KHOU reported that the owners, who are still in police custody, have ten days to claim Lucky, CBS News said the pooch will be up for adoption once he's healthy.

Police said on Facebook that the 'one tough pup!' and  'honorary K-9' is back in the care of The City of Carrollton Animal Adoption Center and is 'on way to full recovery from opiate overdose.' 

Several people on the police department's Facebook page have expressed interest in adopting him.  

 

 

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