One of them had the name, Fireman. The little gray, tan, and white puppy was curled up in a wicker basket, he was under sedation. “The dog is in an extreme amount of discomfort,” said clinic nurse Beth Allen-Garland. “Someone did something really awful, it’s either a severe chemical injury or somebody tried to cause damage to his ears.”

Fireman was found on Wednesday in the play area at Antioch Animal Services. The area is surrounded by a six-foot-tall fence and volunteers say they don’t know who may have dropped him off, or how they were able to.

Kristy Keusch, one of the volunteers, decided to foster Fireman. Keusch says she can’t figure out what caused the dog’s injuries. “If he were to fall or stand in a chemical it would affect his paws, but his paws are not affected. I feel someone intentionally hurt him.”

Keusch has teamed up with Umbrella of Hope, an organization that says it helped rescue more than 500 cats and dogs from Contra Costa County shelters last year, to support Fireman’s recovery.

The Chihuahua mix will have to have his ears surgically removed due to the extent of his injuries. Beth Allen-Garland says Fireman should be able to live a great life despite what he has been through.

She also says a thousand-dollar reward is being offered by Fido Alert for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. “You kind of wonder about the people walking among us willing to cause harm to an animal, let alone a baby animal.”

Fireman is hoping someday to find a loving full-time home. Umbrella of Hope says he could be up for adoption in four to six weeks.