Cat locked in trunk in 97 degree temperature
Davidson, NC (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 13, 2007
County: Mecklenburg
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Kenneth M Latzer
A man whose job is to take animals out of dangerous situations faces an animal cruelty charge. Kenneth Latzer, an animal control officer with Davidson Police, is accused of killing a cat in his care.
"The cat was transported in the back of a vehicle and upon arriving to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control, the cat was dead," said Davidson Police Spokesperson Sara-Lynne Levine. Latzer's own department blames him for not putting the cat in an available empty crate space. Instead, Latzer reportedly placed the animal in the trunk while it was wearing an animal control stick. "The chief was notified about an incident involving the death of a cat," added Levine.
At times, municipalities transport animals to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control. Latzer is a four-year veteran of the Davidson Police Department. The department spokesperson said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control staff turned Latzer in. "We will respond to a call if there's an animal, a cat or dog that doesn't have tags that needs to be looked after until the owner can be found," Levine said. It's unknown at this time of the cat had an owner. The cat died August 13, 2007, a day when the temperature hit 97 degrees.
Latzer remains on paid administrative leave with the Davidson Police Department. References |
