When police in California raided a motel room earlier this year to apprehend a suspect on drug charges, they made an unexpected discovery: an abused eight-week-old puppy named Bubba, who was found to be under the influence of various narcotics, including heroin and crystal meth.
Its owner, Joshua West, 40, subsequently faced animal cruelty charges alongside those related to drug possession, said officers from Tustin Police Department.
Bubba, a Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross, is now looking healthy and faces a much brighter future with its new owners.
Back in May a police spokesman said: “We are happy to report Bubba has been treated for his drug addiction and is doing excellent [sic].
“Bubba is still receiving medical care and once he is fully recovered, he will be placed with a rescue organisation who can find him a forever home that can provide the proper care he will need in the future.”
After weeks of treatment at an Orange County Animal Care centre, tests last week showed that all of the drugs are now out of its system, and it was cleared for adoption.
A local couple who had been following Bubba’s story arrived at the shelter within hours, said Katie Ingram, assistant director of OC Animal Care.
“They were a really nice couple and told us that Bubba would have a sister,” she said. “Bubba bonded with them immediately.”
The adoption was quickly approved, and Bubba is now happy at home with its new owners.
“It made it more meaningful that they were able to help him out because of his rough start in life,” Ms Ingram said. “We were happy they are home quite a bit. It’s what he deserves.”
