Chained dog dies of heat exposure Albert Lea, MN (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Jul 31, 2005 County: Freeborn Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Joshua Stenseth » Michelle Stenseth

Case ID: 5878 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MN (US) Login to Watch this Case

The owners of a shar-pei found dead after being left chained to a railing on a hot August day were in court on Oct 20 after being charged with felony cruelty to animals.

Both Joshua Stenseth, 27, and Michelle Stenseth, 28, of Albert Lea, promised to appear for their second appearance. Both said they understood the Freeborn County District Court complaint and the charges in this first court appearance. Neither was represented by an attorney, saying they couldn't afford one. They will be assigned a public defender before their next court appearance on Oct. 31.

The Stenseths were remorseful during their appearance and visibly upset afterwards.

�It was an accident,� said Michelle Stenseth. �If we didn't want her we would have given her to someone. We wouldn't have just let her die in front of people.�

�We take full responsibility for what happened,� said Joshua Stenseth, with tears. �We've lost our family pet. It was a dumb mistake.�

The dog's name was China, said the Stenseths. She was 2 years old.

Police were called to the Stenseth's residence at 5 p.m. July 31, after someone reported that a large dog appeared to be dead.

The dog was chained to an iron railing on the front steps of the house with about four to five feet of chain, according to the complaint from the Freeborn County District Court. The front of the house faced west.

There was no shelter, trees or shade, provided to the animal. Officers who responded to the scene also found the dog to be without food or water.

An officer who removed the dog from the scene described him as �very hot� to his gloved hands.

The Stenseth's arrived shortly after the police, according to the complaint, and indicated they had been away from the house for a couple hours.

�We had been doing yard work in the morning and we didn't want her outside because she would get so hot,� said Joshua Stenseth. �We put her out around 2:30 p.m. and then I got a call from my cousin about 5 p.m. who said China had died. I said �excuse me?'�

The Stenseths said they were in disbelief until they got home.

�People said they watched while she died, but no one called, no one helped her,� said Michelle Stenseth.

The maximum penalty for felony cruelty to animals charge is two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The National Weather Service reported the high on July 31 was 86 degrees. At 5 p.m. the temperature was 83 degrees. Humidity levels that day were 50 to 60 percent and the heat index was 88 degrees. The weather service also said it was a clear day.

�We are good people,� said Michelle Stenseth. �Our four kids are polite and respectful and that is a reflection of us. I don't think our kids should have to go through this.�

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References

The Albert Lea Tribune - Oct 21, 2005

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