While on her way to work, Malissa Sergent Lewis noticed something that immediately caught her attention. Running late for her job at an elementary school in Kentucky, she chose to take a shortcut along a back road. She had no idea that this decision would lead to the rescue of a helpless animal. At that very moment, she was in the right place at the right time—and willing to take action.
“I saw a trash bag lying in the road and thought to myself, ‘Did that just move?’” Malissa recalled in an interview with The Dodo. “As I got closer, I realized it really was moving.” The sight was difficult to comprehend—something was trapped inside, struggling to escape. Her instincts told her she couldn’t just drive past.
The video she recorded captured the unsettling scene—the bag shifting on its own, revealing that a living creature had been deliberately abandoned inside. Someone had left an animal to suffocate and die, a heartbreaking and cruel act.
Despite not knowing what was inside, Malissa knew she had to act. She pulled over and cautiously approached the bag, fully aware she might be putting herself at risk. “Since the bag was tied shut, I carefully ripped open a corner and peeked inside,” she explained. “It was just a puppy. And the moment he saw me, he started wagging his tail. He was so happy to see light again.”
She was stunned. The little pup had been left for dead, yet he still radiated trust and joy at being rescued. Without hesitation, Malissa took him to the vet to ensure he hadn’t suffered any injuries. The examination revealed he was completely healthy. He even had a collar, suggesting that he had belonged to someone.
Authorities shared the story widely, hoping to gather information about his previous owner. It remained unclear whether the puppy had been abandoned by the owner or stolen and later discarded. However, whoever was responsible faced potential charges of animal cruelty.
“How could anyone do this?” Malissa questioned. “Puppies are universally loved! No one with a heart would ever place an innocent animal in a garbage bag and dump it like trash.”
Despite the cruel circumstances, the story had a heartwarming ending—the puppy found his forever home with his rescuer. Malissa had fallen in love with the little pup and couldn’t bear the thought of giving him away. Her family was thrilled, embracing the newest addition with open arms.
Her sons, especially, were overjoyed. They affectionately nicknamed him Hefty and cherished every moment spent with their new furry companion.