Dog dies of heat exhaustion in stolen vehicle
San Juan, PR (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Nov 12, 2007
County: San Juan

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

A Brazilian show dog that disappeared when thieves in Puerto Rico stole an idling car with the prized pooch inside was found dead inside the abandoned vehicle.

The chocolate Labrador retriever was found lifeless Monday inside its cage in the stolen car, which was abandoned near a well-traveled road in the capital's municipal area, according to San Juan International Dog Expo spokeswoman Marisela Diaz.

The show dog, which competed under the name "Al Pacino," appeared to have died from heat exhaustion while trapped inside the 2007 Dodge Caliber in the community of Carolina, Diaz said.

Earlier Monday, Puerto Rican police searched a financial district of the U.S. territory's capital for the show dog after witnesses reported spotting a dark Labrador retriever.

The prized animal belonged to a Brazilian man, Roberto Rodrigues, who left his rented car running Saturday outside a high-end hotel in the capital of San Juan.

Rodrigues had offered a US$2,000 (€1,372) reward to get the dog back.

"Al Pacino," was considered one of the top show dogs from Brazil, according to the American Kennel Club.

References

• International Herald Tribune - Nov 12, 2007

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