By Chris Togneri

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society accepts animal surrenders seven days a week, yet some people find alternative — often cruel — ways to get rid of unwanted pets.

On Sunday, a West Mifflin resident found a litter of kittens in a tied plastic bag in a trash bin, shelter officials said. Only one was alive, meowing amid its dead siblings.

Later that night, someone left a black and white pit bull in a crate in the parking lot of the Humane society's North Side shelter. Temperatures were below freezing when staff found the dog on Monday morning. They took him in, named him Rosco and gave him food.

Also on Monday morning, police found a sealed plastic container with four pit bull puppies inside along a McKees Rocks road. All survived, thanks only to air holes punched in the top.

Humane society officials said the callous way in which people discard animals makes no sense.

Animal surrenders are free, they said. Staffers do not ask questions, and they never refuse a surrender.

“And yet all of a sudden we see this,” Humane Society spokeswoman Gretchen Fieser said, standing by the four puppies as they huddled together on a dog bed.

“I mean, come on, people. Yes, you have to come during open hours, and we ask for a donation if you're able to make one, but we never turn away an animal. Just bring them to us. It's so much better than leaving them in a trash bag or on the side of a road.”

The animals are expected to survive.

The kitten is with a foster family. The puppies, about 8 weeks old, are being fed to increase their weight. Rosco, who is 8 months old and weighs 35 pounds, is ready for adoption.

For more information, go to www.wpahumane.org.

Chris Togneri is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5632 or ctogneri@tribweb.com.

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