FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Fort Wayne animal control officials say a puppy narrowly avoided being crushed to death in a garbage truck after someone apparently threw the dog into a trash can.

A garbage truck driver called Fort Wayne’s Animal Care & Control last week after crew members heard the puppy crying in the back of their truck and rescued the injured dog.

Animal control spokeswoman Holly Pasquinelli tells The Journal Gazette the 15-pound female pit bull mix was “really lucky that she wasn’t crushed” inside the truck’s compactor.

The dog was named “Pearl” by animal control staff, and has already been adopted.

Animal control officials are seeking the public’s help in determining who put Pearl in the trash. Police have canvassed the area where she was found and along the trash collection route.