Puppy found in trash compactor to be adopted by cop who saved him
The one-year-old Terrier mix puppy, now called Norm, was found by a Gardena police officer just days before Christmas.
By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
Published: 18:21 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 18:45 GMT, 1 January 2026
A small dog left for dead in a California trash compactor has been given a second chance at life with the police officer who rescued him.
The one-year-old Terrier mix puppy, now called Norm, was found by a Gardena police officer just days before Christmas, according to spcaLA.
Sergeant Nick Beerling responded to a report of cries coming from a garbage bin outside a church in the area south of Los Angeles.
Beerling told NBC Los Angeles that animal control initially responded but had to call the police because the trash can was locked.
'Once we accessed the inside of the trash can, we saw Norm, the little dog, the little terrier type dog sitting on top of the trash just kind of whimpering and shaking, looking for help,' he said.
It is unclear how the dog got into the trash hands-free access trash can, or how long he was in there.
According to spcaLA, the church had security cameras, but did not release the footage to the police.
'We looked into it a little bit further and found out it was like a self-compacting type trash can that eventually would have, unfortunately, might have crushed him,' Beerling said.
The one-year-old Terrier mix puppy with light brown fur, now called Norm, was found in a trash compactor
Gardena Police Sergeant Nick Beerling helped get the dog out of the trash can, then decided to adopt him
It is unclear how the dog got into the trash can designed for hands-free access, or how long he was in there
The pup was brought to the spcaLA South Bay Adoption Center and provided with medical care and food while he completed the mandatory stray hold.
A few days later, Beerling, his wife and kids decided to adopt the dog just in time for Christmas.
'On Christmas Eve, the same officer who rescued [Norm] returned to spcaLA South Bay, this time with his family, to give [Norm] the safe and loving home he deserves,' spcaLA said.
The shelter initially called the pup Flan because of his coat, but Beerling and his family decided to name the dog Norm because he was found on Normandy Avenue.
His wife told the local news station the family had been talking about getting a dog for a while, but Norm was finally the one.
'The girls and I have been trying to convince him to get another pet for a while and he hasn't wanted to commit but this little guy just tugged on his heart,' she said.