Pit Bull Puppy Found in Garbage Bag

An 8-month-old pit bull puppy was saved after a resident found him in a garbage bag in Upper Marlboro, according to Prince George's County Animal Services Division officials.

Investigators believe the puppy, which rescuers have dubbed Hershey, was tossed from a car last Tuesday at the intersection of Westphalia and Ritchie Marlboro roads in Upper Marlboro, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

The dog was underweight, veterinarians said, and his feet were soaked with urine.

, based in Kensington, MD, will now care for the puppy until he is adopted.

The Humane Society is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

“Tying a puppy up in a garbage bag and leaving him for dead is heartbreakingly cruel and is also a crime,” said Ashley Mauceri, manager of cruelty investigations for HSUS. “We are hopeful that someone will recognize Hershey and come forward to help find the person or persons who committed this despicable act.”

Pit bulls have been banned in Prince George’s County since 1996, although exceptions are allowed for those owning a dog of the breed prior to the ban.

There's been a battle brewing in Maryland on the safety of owning a pit bull since May when an opinion released by the

The Prince George's County Animal Management Division continues to investigate the case. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (301) 780-7241.