When a garbage bin unexpectedly tumbled off a Milwaukee sanitation truck, workers discovered something no one expected to find: a tiny, malnourished puppy who had been deliberately discarded like trash. What started as a routine day for the crew turned into a life-saving rescue mission that would give this abandoned dog a fresh start.
Sanitation workers Naz Nalls and his partner Omar were conducting their regular collection rounds for the City of Milwaukee when an unusual incident occurred. A garbage container fell from their truck before being emptied—something Nalls said rarely happens during their daily operations.
“Usually, it don’t fall off. That’s what’s crazy about this. I feel like it was kind of destiny,” Nalls said.
When the workers investigated the fallen bin, they made a heartbreaking discovery: a severely underweight puppy was trapped inside, yet remarkably still showing signs of friendliness by wagging his tail.
Quick response saves the day
Nalls immediately contacted his supervisor, Alex Halverson, who happened to be driving out to check on that specific crew at that exact moment. When Halverson arrived and lifted the puppy from the garbage can, the animal showed no fear or aggression, allowing himself to be held without resistance.
With no proper dog food available, Halverson offered the starving puppy the only sustenance he had on hand: two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The famished animal devoured the sandwiches without even pausing to chew.
From trash can to forever home
Halverson personally transported the rescued dog to MADACC, where he was granted priority adoption rights. Since he had already been considering adding a second dog to his household, the decision to adopt came easily.
The puppy received the name PJ, inspired by those crucial peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that provided his first meal after rescue.
“God knows what he went through. And the fact that he was in a garbage can, purposefully discarded… the fact that he was still super friendly,” Halverson said.
The rescue serves as a reminder of compassion and timing, echoing the biblical passage from Luke 12:6 (NKJV): “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.”
