Chained dog dies in heat
Lehigh Acres, FL (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009
County: Lee
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 3 files available
Alleged: Marciano Calderon
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A three-year-old Rottweiler is dead because of its owner's negligence, according to officials with Lee County Domestic Animal Services.
On July 15, Animal Services took an anonymous call about a dead dog in a neighbor's yard. An Animal Control officer was sent to the Lehigh Acres location and was able to confirm that the dog had died.
Officials we spoke to say the Rottweiler was tied to a stake in the homeowner's yard where it had no access to shelter from the sun or heat and had no water or food.
The owner, Marciano Calderon, told Animal Services he put out food and water before he went to work, but it wasn't enough.
"There was nowhere to go for the dog in that heat. It drank every bit of it and it wasn't enough," said Ria Brown of Lee County Animal Services.
The dog's surface body temperature registered over 109 degrees Fahrenheit.
"No shelter, where was it supposed to go? We explained it to the owner and there was an epiphany, 'Oh I understand now,'" said Adam Leath of Lee County Animal Services.
Calderon was charged with cruelty to animals plus failure to vaccinate and license his dog.
Animal Services is reminding all pet owners of the importance of providing proper food, water, and shelter for their pets and the penalties for the failure to do so.
Officials say this is particularly important during the summer months.
Though many people have already heard the warnings about leaving pets in parked cars because of how quickly temperature can rise, many people do not realize the danger to pets from overexposure to the sun that can lead to permanent brain or organ damage as well as death.
Animal Services is asking anyone who sees an animal without proper food, water, and shelter to call Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 239-533-7387.
They say Lee County Ordinance 09-20 makes it is unlawful for any owner to fail to provide adequate, food, water, shelter, veterinary care, or otherwise neglect an animal.
Failure to provide the simple services is punishable by a maximum fine of $500 for a civil infraction and a maximum of $5,000, jail time, or both for a misdemeanor conviction.
For more information about local and state laws regarding animals call Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS).
Case UpdatesA court date has been set for a man that faces animal cruelty charges after his rottweiler died from heat exhaustion.
On July 15, an Animal Control officer was sent to the home of Marciano Calderon.
Officials say his 3-year-old dog was found dead, tied to a stake with no water and no access to shelter.
Calderon told Animal Services he put out food and water before he went to work, but it wasn't enough.
He's set to appear in court August 14th for Animal Cruelty Charges. | Source: ABC-7 - Aug 2, 2009
Update posted on Aug 2, 2009 - 9:16PM |
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