Dog neglect leading to death
Newton, NH (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 11, 2005
County: Rockingham
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Heather Mackenzie
The woman whose two horses were confiscated for neglect in late June is facing animal cruelty charges after police say she left her 2-year-old yellow Labrador chained to her porch in 90-degree weather without water or shelter, which resulted in its death.
Heather Mackenzie, 19, of 20 Crane Crossing Road, was charged with animal cruelty - a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,200 fine - after police received a call from a neighbor who said the dog was lying still on the porch and was left outside on a hot day without water or shelter.
Police responded and found the dog had died.
Animal Control Officer Kim Mears said Mackenzie told her the dog hanged itself with its chain leash when it fell off the porch, but an autopsy revealed it died from what was basically a heat stroke.
"Its brain temperature was so high it couldn't be measured," said Mears.
The dog was chained to a small porch attached to the house, according to Mears, in the middle of a day when the temperature ranged between 85 and 90 degrees. Mears said the dog was left in direct sunlight and was barking loudly while Mackenzie was inside.
In late June, police said they considered charging Mackenzie with animal cruelty after they found her two horses - a 21-year-old Arabian mare and a 3-year-old gelding - to both be 200 to 250 pounds underweight and with a fungus on their back from being out in the rain too long.
"We didn't press charges because it was not malicious, just neglect," said Mears. "This was definitely malicious. Even a child would know to bring the dog in ... We're just not going to allow it in this town."
Police Chief Larry Streeter said the autopsy also found bruising on the dog's chest. He said the bruises were caused by Mackenzie's knee, which she allegedly used to stop the dog from jumping on her and contributed to the decision to charge her with animal cruelty.
"It doesn't happen on two occasions to the same person in that amount of time without raising some suspicions," said Streeter. "The information we received in the investigation ... along with bruising on the chest drew us to the conclusion that there was obvious abuse."
Police said the dog was well fed and had all its vaccinations, which indicates it was generally taken care of.
Mears said Mackenzie's grandmother also lives at the home and was at work the day of the incident. She said the grandmother had no knowledge that the dog was chained to the porch.
All of the other animals found in the home, which include a guinea pig, a ferret and a two gecko lizards, were voluntarily given to Mears and were healthy, she said. Mears said she advised Mackenzie not to obtain anymore animals until the charges are resolved in court.
Streeter said Mackenzie is scheduled for arraignment at Plaistow District Court on Sept. 19.
The incident with the horses occurred on June 20 and was also reported to police by a neighbor. Both horses found new homes and are expected to make a full recovery. References« NH State Animal Cruelty Map
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