"It's cruel. We definitely want to find out who did this to this poor animal," said River Rouge Animal Control Officer Brian Daugherty after a man found a puppy that had been dumped in a garbage can.

The man was mowing some grass late Monday morning when he heard a bark and didn't know where it was coming from. When he went to throw some grass clipping away, he opened the lid of the garbage can and found the puppy.

The man flagged down a public works employee, named Aaron, who got the ball rolling on getting the puppy rescued

The garbage can is in an alley near East James and Byron Street. And River Rouge Police say they have good information that could lead to the person responsible for leaving the puppy for dead.

The puppy, that was so dehydrated he couldn't even stand, weighs only ten pounds and is estimated to be around four to five months old.

The head of River Rouge's animal shelter, Patricia Trevino, rushed the puppy to a local veterinarian so he could begin getting fluids and emergency care. Trevino then put out a plea for help on Facebook.

The puppy is now named Aaron and Lucky Day Animal Rescue in Macomb County transferred him to Wilson Veterinary Hospital in Washington Township where he can get around the clock care.

If anyone is interested in helping cover the cost of Aaron's care, you are urged to call the veterinary hospital directly at (586)752-6217.

Anyone with any information on the person responsible for leaving the puppy for dead is urged to call (313)842-8700.