ST. PAUL — Two puppies that were discarded in a recycling bin behind a St. Paul animal hospital were found this week, one dead and the other barely clinging to life.

As the surviving dog continues to recover, police are investigating the case as possible animal cruelty, reports said.

Wendy Granroos, a manager at the Scenic Hills Animal Hospital, found the dogs Wednesday morning.

Hospital staffers nicknamed the survivor Scrappy because of where he was found.

Granroos said Scrappy was 20 pounds when he was found, and has gained 5 pounds in two days. A veterinarian told the newspaper a dog Scrappy’s age should weigh about 30 to 35 pounds.

Granroos said Scrappy appears to be a mix of German shepherd and Australian shepherd. She’s almost certain he and the dog that died were littermates because they looked so much alike.

It’s not clear how the other dog died. Granroos said the only apparent injury was to its tongue.

She said she was especially troubled by how the dogs were found. People have dropped animals off at the clinic before but never by dumping them in a trash bin, she said.

“I think it’s horrible,” she said. “They could have left a note on our door, at least, so we would have known they were in there before the one passed.”

Scenic Hills plans to keep Scrappy until his weight is up and he’s healthy. Staffers will get him fully vaccinated and neutered before putting him up for adoption.

Granroos said a number of people have already expressed interest in adopting him.