A puppy found abandoned in La Pine on Thursday, Feb. 8.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate the owner of eight puppies allegedly abandoned in La Pine last week.

The puppies, believed to be seven to eight weeks old, were found in the area of Boundary Road and Camino De Oro Avenue in La Pine on Thursday. The sheriff’s office reports that a concerned citizen brought the puppies to the La Pine Animal Hospital.

The citizen who found the puppies reportedly saw a green Subaru — driven by a late 20s male with a female passenger — driving away from the area. The witness was not able to obtain the license plate of the Subaru.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jason Wall said the good samaritan was looking for hiking trails on public land west of the intersection when he discovered the puppies.

“The puppies appeared to have been let go, and they all came running out of the brush when the citizen was walking in the area,” said Wall. 

The puppies were initially brought to the La Pine Animal Hospital and later transferred to the Humane Society of Central Oregon in Bend .

Lynne Ouchida, a spokesperson for Human Society of Central Oregon, said the puppies arrived thin and are being treated and evaluated. After the evaluation period, they can be spayed or neutered and then put up for adoption, depending on their health. 

The dogs are pit bull mixes, said Ouchida. Five of the eight already have adoption interest, she said.

“When they become available for adoption, (people) will be able to interact with them,” said Ouchida. “We are hoping sometime later this week they will be given the green light.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public in contacting the owner of the vehicle or the puppies. Anyone with information related to this case may contact Deschutes County 911 Dispatch Center’s non-emergency line at 541-693-6911. The case number is 24-7083.