"She was gasping for air," said Jessica Morrison with the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter, after they found Coco.
They reportedly discovered Coco inside a duffle bag, which she had placed inside a plastic bag tied up inside a cloth shopping bag.
VINELAND, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Authorities are investigating after an abandoned Chihuahua was found tied up in three bags near train tracks in Vineland, New Jersey, over the weekend.
The South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter says 1-year-old Coco would be dead if it weren't for a passerby.
"When she came out of the bag, she was gasping for air. She had been without oxygen for enough time to take a toll on her," said Jessica Morrison.
A man walking his dog, found the dog, alongside railroad tracks on the 500 block of Christel Ave in Vineland.
They had placed inside a plastic bag that she tied up inside a cloth shopping bag. Staff at the shelter say this was intentional.
Coco had no other signs of abuse other than visible shakes. She is now recovering at a foster home.
"It's remarkable that as traumatic as this was, it did not shake her trust in people," said Morrison. "She is one lucky dog."
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them.
The animal shelter offers a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
