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Case ID: 18278

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Puppy locked in hot car, dies
Folsom, CA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011
County: Sacramento

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Tiandra L. Davis

A Rancho Cordova woman faces felony animal cruelty charges because her puppy died after she allegedly left it locked in a car in Folsom.

Wednesday afternoon Folsom police officer Sharon Blackburn said officers were called to the Winco Supermarket parking lot. "Officers arrived and found a small puppy on the back passenger floor board of a black Honda Civic that was parked in the parking lot," Blackburn explained. "The windows were down about two inches on each side."

Gizmo, a six-month old Pomeranian-Shih Tzu mix, was apparently in major stress from the heat and panting heavily. 21-year-old Tiandra Davis of Rancho Cordova was accused of leaving the dog in a car with no water for 90 minutes to over two hours while she worked at a nearby business.

"The officers took Gizmo into their own police cruiser and turned on the air conditioning and gave him some cold water drink," Blackburn said.

But it wasn't enough. The small puppy died of a heat stroke at a nearby veterinarian's office according to Blackburn.

Winco shopper Amanda Scotti was appalled. She said, "I think it's senseless. The poor little dog didn't have a chance."

Every year News 10 reports on stories about dogs left in hot cars during the summer. To prove just how warm it can get in a car, we borrowed an infrared thermometer that registers surface temperatures from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

We parked a Ford Explorer, closed the doors and rolled up the windows. The outdoor temperature was in the upper 80's and even though the sun was beaming down, most of the interior of the car was sitting in the shade.

After only 11 minutes, the thermometer registered the surface temperature of the dashboard at 123 degrees. And when we opened the driver's door, after one minute, the thermometer registered the cloth seats at between 106 and 108 degrees.

According to Blackburn, Davis was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty.

The message for pet owners is clear. "When the sun is out and it's the slightest bit hot, do your dog a favor. Leave him at home and don't bring him with you in the car." Scotti said.

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