Dog locked in hot car
Corpus Christi, TX (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
County: Nueces

Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

A Boston terrier is lucky to be alive. On Wednesday, police had to break a car window to rescue him from the stifling heat.

It all happened in the parking lot of La Palmera mall.

A San Antonio couple is now facing a charge of animal neglect.

When local news cameras arrived at the mall, the dog was already outside the car, but still throwing up and shaking.

It is believed to have been in the car for 30 to 45 minutes. Other shoppers noticed it pawing at the window.

One witness, Meredith Barium, told KRIS 6 News, "It's a black interior, and it's so hot outside. The dog, it jumped up when I went up to the window, and it fell down, because it just couldn't stand up, because it was so dehydrated and sick."

Another witness, Cynthia Moreland, said the dog was, "puking and throwing up everywhere. He couldn't stand up. He was drenched in sweat."

Barium added, "It's just disgusting that someone would just be so careless to leave their animal out there."

Moreland was in tears while waiting for help to arrive.

CCPD officer Luis Flores told 6 News that the dog, "looked to be in pretty bad shape, so we made a decision at that point to break the window for the dog's safety."

"About maybe 30 seconds after he busted the window and we got the dog out, the owners arrived and were real upset about their window being busted and wanted their dog back," said Moreland. "And we were trying to tell them the dog needed medical attention, but they're still sitting here. I talked to the owner about putting a wet towel on the dog because they just left him laying on the concrete, and so at least he listened to me and did that."

The dog's owners eventually agreed to let the dog be checked out.

Moreland continued, "I just hope they take the dog to a vet, and that they suffer some consequences for doing this. I mean that could have been a child."

Hours later, the Boston terrier was much cooler and it appeared no permanent damage was done.

6 News learned the owners will face a charge of animal neglect and will have to prove in court they can properly care for their dog before getting it back.

A hearing date is still pending. For the time being, the terrier will remain with Animal Care Services. If the owners choose to give up the dog, it could then be put up for adoption.

References

• « TX State Animal Cruelty Map

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