Two dogs left in hot weather, one dies Indian Wells, CA (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 County: Riverside Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Charges: Felony CTA Abuser/Suspect: Cynthia Lee Smith Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 5047 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in CA (US) Login to Watch this Case

Two dogs were found tied to a vehicle in an asphalt parking lot in Indian Wells. Animal Control found them after they were tied up in 120 degree heat for almost an hour. One of the dogs didn�t survive.

The five-year-old Chow mix was reportedly�a nervous wreck at handlers brought her outside. They said she's been frightened and confused ever since she was brought to the shelter on Saturday.

Riverside Sheriffs said they found her and a golden retriever in the parking lot of the Miramonte Resort in Indian Wells. They say Sky Valley resident Cynthia Smith tied them to her vehicle and left them outside for almost an hour on "scalding asphalt." The golden retriever died. The chow came very close.

"For this one here, the time frame and everything involved, it's an act of animal cruelty," said Ted Nickerson with Palm Springs Animal Control.

Smith is now at the Indio jail facing felony animal cruelty charges. Animal Control experts said these cases are all too familiar during the summer.

"Common sense is, you wouldn't stand in a parking lot by your car for 30 to 45 minutes talking to someone in this weather. Why would you leave your pets there?"

Animal control says it usually takes 10 to 15 minutes for a dog to overheat in the sun. They usually like to get close to the ground where it's cooler, but on the asphalt that's not the case.

Experts say walk your pets early in the morning, in the evening and not on asphalt and don't leave them, even for a few minutes in the triple digit heat.

Under state law, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is five years in jail and $20,000 in fines.

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KESQ - July 18, 2005

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