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An abandoned SUV with blood and a dog inside has prompted Salt Lake City police to seek the public's help in locating three missing, presumed endangered men who are connected to the vehicle.

At 10:37 a.m. Monday, police responded to an abandoned white Chevy Tahoe at 1800 W. 1500 South.

Initially, the vehicle had been reported to animal control authorities because of a dog left inside. Upon arrival, animal control officers found a significant amount of blood inside the SUV and referred the case to police.

The dog was not injured.

Homicide detectives connected three men to the vehicle. But as of Tuesday afternoon, detectives had not been able to locate or contact any of them.

The missing men are:

• Danny Kiko Gallegos, 35, Latino, 5-foot-7, 155 pounds, black hair, hazel eyes.

• Braden Parker Emerson, 23, white, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.

• Levi Joseph Collins, 34, 5-foot-6, 210, blond hair and brown eyes.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of any of the men is asked to contact the police department at 801-799-3000.

Information can be sent anonymously by text by sending the keyword TIPSLCPD plus any relevant information to 274637. Reference: case #14-192695.

Salt Lake City police Sgt. Robin Heiden said the vehicle was parked in a secluded area next to the Jordan River.

"It started out suspicious and now is even more suspicious" because the three men are missing, she said.

Utah court records show that all three have criminal records.

Emerson is on probation after pleading guilty in June to third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested in 2013 with 61 grams of methamphetamine, according to charging documents.

Collins pleaded guilty in January 2013 to third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested in December 2012 with "two large plastic twists" methamphetamine, according to charging documents.

Gallegos pleaded guilty in 2007 to attempted burglary and failure to stop for police, both third-degree felonies, and was sent to prison.

Gallegos is currently being prosecuted for second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He was arrested in April 2013 with three pounds of marijuana, according to charging documents.