After 2 Dogs Die in Hot Car in MA, Police Charge Two People With Animal Cruelty

After 2 Dogs Die in Hot Car in MA, Police Charge Two People With Animal Cruelty

Two people are being charged in Massachusetts after two dogs died in a hot car.

Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte announced on Thursday that the department will file a complaint charging two women after the deceased dogs were found on Wednesday.

"This is a heartbreaking and entirely preventable tragedy," said Delmonte. "No pet should ever be left in a vehicle on a warm day in direct sunlight, even for a few minutes."

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"Temperatures inside a car can rise to deadly levels in a matter of minutes, even with the windows cracked. We urge everyone to think twice and take the necessary steps to protect their pets from extreme heat," he added. 

 

About Case

Bridgewater Police, who have not yet announced the identities of the individuals, released the following on Thursday:

[A 59-year-old woman of Bridgewater, and a 32-year-old-woman of Bridgewater], will be summoned to Brockton District Court on charges of [Cruelty to Animals Confinement of an Animal in a Motor Vehicle Causing Exposure to Extreme Heat].

On Wednesday, July 16, at approximately 4:35 PM, [officers] responded to 911 calls reporting that two women were screaming and crying outside of a condo building on Heather Lane.

Upon arrival, officers saw what appeared to be two medium-sized dogs lying on the ground next to concrete steps near the home and determined they were both deceased.

The officers' subsequent investigation, and based on their training and experience, determined that [the women] had left the dogs in a vehicle for more than 90 minutes.

The windows were not opened, and no air conditioning was turned on. The Bridgewater Fire Department determined the temperature inside the vehicle was at least 130 degrees.

The investigation revealed that the dogs had also been living in unsanitary conditions inside the home. Bridgewater Animal Control took custody of the dogs and transported them to an animal medical center for a necropsy.

[The women] will each be issued a summons to be arraigned in Brockton District Court at a later date.

PHOTO: Unsplash/OLGA VASILYEVA (STOCK IMAGE - NOT ACTUAL DOGS INVOLVED)