Puppy is found abandoned and tied in a bag on the side of the road

SOUTH HADLEY, MA - A small puppy is found abandoned on the side of the road in Massachusetts and tied up in a bag.

This is Punkin.

The spunky little pup was found by a woman who was taking her own dog for a walk, in South Hadley.

Animal Control Officer Shawn O'Brien said, "She went and looked and saw this little green bag that was moving and she wasn't sure what was in there."

It was tied-up in a plastic bag and left in the woods, right by the Connecticut River.

"They were able to get the bag open a little bit so she could at least stick her head out and be able to breathe," O'Brien said.

Police believe Punkin was tossed over a guardrail, possibly intended to go into the water.

"Good chance she could have landed in the water."

"It does tend happen a lot. People will usually aim for the water, instead of just the woods. She could have been stolen, or used by someone to retaliate against someone who they were mad at."

They're not sure how long the dog was in the bag, but was still in good spirits, and immediately took to the woman who found it.

"As soon as she did, she crawled into my arms and started giving me kisses," O'Brien said.

"We were really surprised she was as healthy as she was."

Punkin will be going home in a few days, with a South Hadley police officer.