Police in Montclair, New Jersey, are searching for a man accused of abandoning a six-month-old pit bull outside a liquor store on Orange Road.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows the man tying the puppy to a garbage container with a piece of cloth before entering the store. He later walked past the dog while talking on his phone and left without it.

A passerby, Marlena Gaines, eventually called for help and rescued the puppy. She said the dog showed no visible signs of abuse. Police took custody of the animal, which is now safe at a local shelter.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to help identify the suspect, who was reportedly wearing a hoodie with pink lettering and pink shoelaces.

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