Dogs left tethered in heat, resulting in death - Chesapeake, VA

Tuesday, Dec 7, 2004

County: Chesapeake City

Disposition: Dismissed
Case Images: 1 files available

Person of Interest: William Doss,, III

On June 18, 2004, Animal Control Officer T. J. Stevens responded to a call to check on two boxers that were "down" and not moving in the 2600 block of Norris Lane. When she arrived, she found two deceased boxers. The owner, Mr. William Doss, III, BM 41 years old, had already removed them from where they had been tethered.

According to Mr. Doss, he put the two dogs, Sasha and Ivan, on their tethers at approximately 10:30 a.m. They had become tangled, so he untangled them and moved one of the animals. He also stated he left water for both dogs, before leaving himself. A witness, who arrived at approximately 3:00 p.m. to walk the dogs, stated that he found the two dogs tangled and deceased. Mr. Doss stated he had found Sasha with one front leg tangled in the tether.

Officer Stevens took photographs of the two dogs, their tethers, and the empty water bowls. She also noted the temperature at the time as 97o F with a heat index of 105. Officer Stevens believed that the dogs died from stangulation or heat exhaustion. She picked up both bodies and sent the animals to a local laboratory for necropsy.

According to the necropsy report final diagnosis, Ivan's most probable cause of death was heat stress and Shasha's was choking and/or heat stress.

Officer Stevens secured two charges of cruelty to animals against Mr. Doss. The case was heard in General District Court of Chesapeake, Criminal Division, on December 7, 2004.

The judge found that Mr. Doss did not intend for the animals to be harmed or die and dismissed both charges.

References

• OCA File Number CHS04-03415
• Officer's Case File

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