One lucky pup’s life was likely saved last week when Coast Guard inspectors discovered her locked in a cargo container at a Texas port.
The dog, now known as Connie the Container Dog was imprisoned in a shipping container until marine science technicians Bryan Wainscott, Lucas Loe, Ryan McMahon, and Jose Reyes discovered her Wednesday at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, according to Coast Guard Heartland on Facebook.
The maritime inspectors were randomly selecting containers for inspection when they heard barking and scratching from one of the stacks, according to USCG Heartland.
The container was stacked around 25 feet in the air and needed to be lowered by a crane.
“When they lowered the container and opened the door, a dog popped out!” reports USCG Heartland.
According to USCG Heartland, the “sweet girl” was “tired, hungry, and very happy to see her rescuers.”
USCG Heartland released a video to Facebook of Connie wagging her tail, sniffing around, and drinking water after she was finally freed.
Coast Guard officers discovered that Connie had been stuck for at least eight days, without food or water. She was filthy and thin when she was released.
Officials said they don’t know where the cargo came from, but it was full of junked vehicles, most likely on their way to be sold for parts overseas. Chief Petty Officer Corinne Zilnicki stated that Connie was most likely in a car at a junkyard when she was accidentally caught in the container.
If that were the case, McMahon said it would have taken another week for Connie to arrive at her destination by cargo ship, leaving her without food for two weeks.
The marine inspectors transported Connie to the Pasadena Animal Shelter for care, according to the shelter’s Facebook page.
Connie was subsequently moved to Forever Changed Animal Rescue, or FCAR, on Friday, according to the rescue agency’s Facebook page, when its founder and veterinarian, Dr. Andrea Deoudes, came across her tale while perusing through Facebook.
Soon after, the rescue charity stated that its Texas coordinator was confident in finding her “the amazing home that she is so deserving of.”
“In just a few short hours, we experienced the joyful moment that Pasadena Animal Shelter chose us to become the rescue that gives Connie her new shot at life,” the shelter announced on its Facebook page. “Without hesitation and not knowing Connie’s health, we knew that our medical fund would be well spent on her.”
FCAR reported that Connie weighed 30 pounds, which is significantly underweight. She tested positive for heartworm, which FCAR stated it would begin treating immediately. The rescue service said it would also conduct a thorough examination.
It went on to say that she was “incredibly sweet but very shy and scared of her new surroundings as to be expected.”
“We can’t thank all of the amazing people involved in this rescue and saving Connie’s life,” FCAR stated in a statement.
The rescue agency’s Facebook page is flooded with comments from people who want to adopt or foster Connie. It was unclear if she had found her forever home.