LEWISTON — Authorities in Lewiston are looking for the person who tossed four newborn kittens into a large trash container.

Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout says if that person is located, they could face charges.

The kittens covered with fleas and maggots and with their umbilical cords still attached were discovered Friday by a passer-by who called authorities.

They were taken to the Androscoggin Humane Society, where they were cleaned and fed, but two still died over the weekend.

Operations manager Zachary Black tells the Sun Journal the kittens were likely a day old or less when they were found. He says there is no need to dump unwanted animals because the Humane Society will take them for no fee and with no questions asked.