Garbage Crew’s Fortunate Mishap Leads to Dog’s Rescue and Adoption
June 10, 2026
In a striking turn of events, a neglected dog found amidst rubbish was rescued mere moments before a potential tragedy.
Thanks to an unforeseen series of occurrences, the dog now enjoys a loving home.
Alex Halverson / Naz Nalls (left) / TMJ4 News
While on their routine garbage collection route in Milwaukee, sanitation workers Naz Nalls and his partner Omar encountered an unexpected situation. A malfunction caused one of the waste bins to fall off their truck before its contents were processed.
This minor mishap turned out to be a life-saving incident.
“Usually, it don’t fall off. That’s what’s crazy about this. I feel like it was kind of destiny,” Nalls stated.
Upon inspecting the fallen bin, the crew discovered a severely undernourished dog. Despite his condition, the canine was sociable and seemed eager for human interaction.
Following protocol, Nalls and Omar contacted their supervisor, Alex Halverson, who was already on his way to meet the team.
Halverson felt an instant bond with the dog. “The first time I pulled him out of the garbage can, he did this. He let me pick him up,” Halverson recalled.
Noticing the dog’s apparent hunger, Halverson offered him his lunch—two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. “He didn’t even chew. He just inhaled,” Halverson mentioned.
While finding animals in garbage bins is not uncommon for sanitation crews, Halverson believed this dog deserved a chance. He personally transported the dog to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission.
After receiving necessary care, the dog was placed in foster care. However, Halverson had the first option to adopt him, aligning with his previous thoughts of adding a second dog to his family.
Halverson officially adopted the dog, naming him PJ in honor of the sandwiches that sustained him during his challenging time.
“God knows what he went through. And the fact that obviously he was in a garbage can, purposefully discarded. He was buried under garbage, and the fact that he was still super friendly.”
What began as a routine garbage collection transformed into a memorable rescue mission. A dog, negligently discarded, was saved by attentive workers and adopted by a supervisor who played a key role in his rescue.
Sometimes, it just takes a small twist of fate to change a life forever.
