Heartbreaking Footage Shows Man Cruelly Abandoning a Limping Cat in a California Dumpster

An injured cat is recovering from a shocking ordeal after being abandoned in a dumpster.

On Monday, March 10, a man was captured on CCTV carelessly shaking a cat out of a plastic bag into a dumpster at around 7:20 p.m. near the 25000 block of Cabot Road in Laguna Hills, per a Facebook post from the City of Mission Viejo, CA - Local Government.

In the footage, the individual pulls up to the secluded dumpster in their car and quickly dumps the cat on top of the overflowing trash receptacle. The heartbreaking clip ends with the feline limping around the trash before watching the man drive away.

"Animal Services received a report on Tuesday about the injured cat found inside a dumpster behind a shopping center near Cabot and La Paz Road," the City of Mission Viejo wrote in their caption. "The cat, suffering from obvious trauma, was immediately transported to a local animal hospital for evaluation and treatment.'

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The government agency added in the social media post that the cat was found 15 hours after being dumped and minutes before the trash "was scheduled for collection."

Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS) launched an investigation into the incident after the feline was discovered and called for help identifying the man in the video.

"The cat, now named Willow by MVAS staff, is receiving treatment for extensive injuries but is expected to recover," the Facebook statement continued. "Despite this heartbreaking betrayal, Willow continues to show immense affection to the veterinary staff caring for her, purring and seeking comfort from those providing her with kindness and affection."

"MVAS is committed to ensuring Willow receives the necessary medical care and rehabilitation after this senseless act of abandonment," the post concluded. "We are grateful to the thoughtful person who found and retrieved Willow from the dumpster."

On March 12, officials confirmed in a statement that a suspect in Willow's abandonment had been arrested and taken into custody with the assistance of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"The arrest came just hours after the City issued a press release today seeking the public's help in identifying the individual who was captured on surveillance footage tossing the cat into a dumpster," the statement read.

Mission Viejo Animal Services supervisor Kyle Werner shared in the statement that the cat's owner identified the suspect as her roommate.

In a follow-up statement on March 13, the City of Mission Viejo shared that Willow is a pet cat named BooBoo.

"BooBoo remains under veterinary care and is improving. She was examined by a leading forensic veterinarian this morning and is receiving continued care at a partner hospital," the agency shared on Facebook. "Her owner came forward and is assisting the MVAS investigation team with information about the male suspect who injured and tossed her cat in a dumpster. With her help, the video evidence, and other information, there is probable cause to press charges against the man in the video."

The post concluded that once BooBoo is fully healed, she will be returned to her owner, who "was also a victim of this heinous crime."