Cockatoo dies in hot car - Fredericksburg, VA

Saturday, Jul 22, 2006

County: Fredericksburg City

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Donia Monique Brooks

A woman whose pet cockatoo died after it was left in a sweltering car while she went to a movie has been charged with animal cruelty.

Moviegoers told police they saw the bird, which appeared distressed, in the back of the car at about 5:20 on July 22 afternoon, police spokesman Jim Shelhorse said. They alerted Regal Cinema theater staff who called the police.

By the time police opened the car, the bird was dead in its cage, Shelhorse said.

Donia Monique Brooks, 25, was charged with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor that can bring up to a year in prison.

Shelhorse said a window in the car had been left open about 2.5 centimeters, but the temperature outside was 32 Celsius and the heat index was about 36 Celsius.

The owner returned to her car shortly after 6 p.m. and acknowledged that it was her bird, Shelhorse said. She was given a summons and released.

References

• Fox News - July 25, 2006
• MSNBC - July 25, 2006
• USA Today - July 25, 2006
• News Channel 8 - July 25, 2006
• WJLA - July 25, 2006
• CNN - July 25, 2006
• NBC 4 - July 24, 2006

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