WASHINGTON — The search is on for the person who left a puppy in a crate in the middle of a street in Germantown, Maryland. Someone found the white and black puppy, a pit bull mix named “Rascal,” in the overnight hours on Staten Court on August 4.

The 6-month-old dog was significantly underweight, covered in lacerations and his own feces and urine, according to Katherine Zenzano with Montgomery County Animal Services.

“It’s absolutely just very disheartening and saddening that there are people in the public that would do something like this to an animal,” Zenzano said.

Animal Services is caring for the animal as investigators search for its owner. The hope is pictures of the dog may lead to the owner who faces a list animal cruelty charges, they said. Those charges could result in fines and jail time for the owner.

Zenzano said the puppy, now called “Rascal,” is recovering. The puppy will be put up for adoption after the investigation.

“He’s a sweetheart and going to be a beautiful dog for somebody,” Zenzano said.

Anyone able to help investigators find the dog’s owner is asked to call Animal Services investigator Angel Ricketts at 240-773-5922.