Three dogs dead after owner, 65, leaves them in car in 54C heat without water, open windows or air conditioning
THREE dogs were found dead after they were left behind in a sweltering car as temperatures soared to 54C.
Emergency services scrambled to McQuades Market Place, Rhode Island on Sunday afternoon to find two black Labradors, aged four and seven months, and a Gray Keeshond, unresponsive.
It is not known how long Ann Garnett, 65, left them inside her car.
Officials have said it was “an extended period of time”.
Experts from the University of San Francisco found if outside temperatures were 35C, as they were in Rhode Island on Sunday, temperatures could reach at least 54C within 30 minutes.
Police said Garnett’s air-conditioning was broken, and the dogs were left without water and open windows, WPRI news reported.
She told a friend she left the car running with air conditioning on, and even claimed it must have turned off somehow, the reports added.
Garnett was arrested and now faces three counts of unnecessary cruelty to an animal and confinement of an animal in a motor vehicle.
She could face up to five years behind bars and also be fined £801 ($1,000).
What to do when you see a distressed dog trapped in a car
1. Call the police and ask for their assistance
2. If the police can’t attend but the dog is in desperate need of help you may consider taking further action
3. Explain to the police what you intend to do
4. Take a photo of the dog trapped in the car
5. Take the name and number of any witnesses
6. If you do forcibly gain access to the car you should be willing to defend your actions in court
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In a statement, Jamestown Police said: “The officers and bystanders along with members of the Jamestown Fire Department attempted to revive the three dogs and transported them to Newport Animal Hospital.
“All three dogs were determined to be deceased.”
Garnett was arraigned Sunday and released, according to authorities.
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