Bonner Springs police issue citation after abandoned pup found taped in bin
Days after a puppy was found in a sealed plastic bin outside a veterinary clinic in Bonner Springs, police have filed charges against a person accused of abandoning him.
Bonner Springs Animal Control announced that an individual was charged with animal abandonment in a Facebook post Wednesday.
In an email to The Star Thursday, Bonner Springs Police Department spokesperson Capt. Heather Pate said an individual was issued a notice to appear citation relating to the incident. The Star is not naming the individual, as criminal charges were not filed.
The dog, named Kenji, which was written on the plastic tote in which he was found, was discovered outside the Bonner Springs Animal Care Center just before 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Pate said. It’s unclear how long the dog was in the tote at the time of its discovery.
Kenji appeared to be suffering from rectal prolapse, the animal control officer said, and needed medical treatment. The officer said the pup underwent surgery, and has a “long road to recovery.”
“Leaving a dog taped inside a plastic tote with no ventilation, during a storm, while the dog is suffering from a rectal prolapse, is not an act of compassion or desperation — it is abandonment, and it places the animal at serious risk of suffering or death,” the animal control officer said in the post.
In a picture posted to animal control’s Facebook page, two strips of tape can be seen holding down the top of the bin. The dog’s name is written on the side of the tote, as well as a message: “Maybe not yet, but when he feels better he has a big appetite.” A plastic bag containing what appeared to be food was taped to the side of the tote.
The writing on the tub also said Kenji was “strong” and “healthy,” and that he is around 4 months old.
Officers were able to identify the person after receiving several tips from the community, the post said. During an initial encounter with the individual, two more puppies were surrendered to animal control.
All three are receiving veterinary care, and will eventually be available for adoption at Great Plains SPCA, the post said.
This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 10:06 PM.
CORRECTION: This story corrected to include new information from the Bonner Springs Police Department and reflect the nature of the individual’s citation.
