The BC SPCA has launched an investigation after a seven-week old puppy was found abandoned inside a Huggies diaper box outside a Nanaimo mall on Tuesday.

The small pit bull cross named ‘Hugo’ was covered in urine and suffering from hypothermia when he was discovered outside Woodgrove Centre.

“[The puppy] was not happy and looked in distress, it was obviously confused and didn’t know what was happening to it,” said Leon Davis, the manager of the Nanaimo branch.

Hugo, named after the first three letters on the box he was found in, was taken to the Island Veterinary Hospital for immediate care.

“He had a very, very hard distended firm belly,” said Courtenay Large with VCA Canada Island Animal Hospital. “We decided to take x-rays of him right away to see what was going on in that belly of his.”

The vet suspects whoever dropped him off dumped kibble inside the box and the dog ate too much. All that food resulted in the small animal’s stomach to grow three times its size.

“He had little blisters all over the bottom of his feet and we would assume that it could be urine scalding from him standing in pools of urine,” Large added.

Hugo was reportedly left outside for less than 24 hours, but given his age and size any longer could have been fatal.

The SPCA is now trying to determine who abandoned the dog.

“A maximum fine for abandoning an animal for this is $75,000 and potentially two years in jail is the maximum, so it’s a very serious crime,” said Davis. “My concern right now is are there any other puppies from this litter, and where could they be and do they need help.”

According to Large, Hugo is expected to make a full recovery.

With a report from CTV Vancouver Island’s Jessica Lepp