Dog tethered in summer heat, euthanized Wilmington, DE (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 2, 2006 County: New Castle Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Bryant I. Cottman

Case ID: 10188 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in DE (US) Login to Watch this Case

The discovery of a sick dog chained for days to a man's back stoop in Wilmington led to cruelty charges against the alleged offender and the euthanasia of a brown-spotted white pit bull named Jewel on Aug 2.

Delaware SPCA Executive Director John E. Caldwell said officials charged Bryant I. Cottman, 27, of the 200 block of Delamore Place in Wilmington, with misdemeanor cruel neglect and failure to provide adequate shelter for the canine.

According to court records, SPCA animal control officers Pete Corcoran and Dave Sloan went to the home on a complaint that a dog was in distress in a rear yard.

When officers arrived, they found the unresponsive dog chained and lying on its side, breathing heavily.

The ailing dog was taken to the SPCA shelter in Stanton, where its temperature registered 109.7 degrees -- higher than the normal 100.5 degrees of a healthy dog, agents said in court records.

Caldwell said veterinarian Dr. Ryan Eppel diagnosed the 2-year-old animal as suffering the advanced stages of heat stroke and euthanized the animal.

An investigation by animal control agents determined that Cottman was not the dog's owner and that Cottman said he "found" the animal about 10 p.m. Monday and was "caring for the dog until it could be claimed by the dog's legal owner."

Cottman said he already owned a dog and that he could not keep both dogs inside his home.

Since Monday night, the dog had been tied to a rail outside.

Caldwell said a woman claiming to be the dog's owner showed up at the shelter Monday and reported her dog stolen.

The woman, who lives in Murray Manor, said she went to Wilmington, where her dog was stolen while she was getting water ice. She was later arrested by police on outstanding warrants, Caldwell said.

The woman's identity was not immediately known.

Cottman's pit bull was confiscated Wednesday for failure to have it licensed in the city, Caldwell said.

If convicted of the cruelty charges, Cottman faces a $2,500 fine and will be prohibited from owning an animal for five years. He could also be fined another $25 to $50 if convicted on the charge of failure to adequately provide shelter for the dog.

Caldwell said animal control workers had also received two calls about dogs being locked in cars in recent days.

"Obviously, you shouldn't leave your pets in cars," he said. "On a warm 85-degree day, with the car windows slightly open, the temperature rises to 102 degrees in a matter of 10 minutes."

Under those conditions, dogs suffer brain damage, suffocate or die.

Caldwell said if your pet exhibits heavy panting, rapid pulse or glazed eyes, is unsteady, staggering or vomiting, hose the animal down with cool water to bring its body temperature down.

He also suggested moving the animal to the shade and applying ice packs and cold towels to the animal's head, neck and chest only.

It should be given small amounts of cool water to drink or ice cubes to lick and be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible, Caldwell said.

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References

Delaware Online - Aug 2, 2006

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