11 puppies found abandoned near Ottawa dumpster

Eleven puppies were abandoned in a cardboard box near a dumpster outside Ottawa's Canadian War Museum last Monday, saved only by an alert passerby.

The German shepherd-mix dogs — only about six-weeks-old — have been taken in by the Ottawa Humane Society. Officials said they are now mostly in good shape despite being left outside in some of this winter's coldest weather.

Four puppies are recovering from intestinal problems, but the humane society's executive director Bruce Roney said it could have been worse.

"If they had been left much longer they could have been seriously ill or dead," Roney said.

"I can't imagine the level of irresponsibility of whoever left them there. I can't imagine what they were thinking."

A passerby spotted the dogs, which were then whisked into care.

The dogs have been given the names of Star Wars characters, and the humane society said they're preparing for a lot of interest in the dogs when they become available for adoption in two months.