2 Charged with Leaving 4 Puppies in Hot Car

Four puppies were rescued from a hot car Sunday and two women were each charged with four counts of animal cruelty for having left them there.

"The women had checked in to the Hospitality House at 2801 Plank Road about 8 p.m. Sunday, and another guest called in the complaint," Natatia Bledsoe, Fredericksburg police spokesperson said.  "It was approximately 80 degrees at the time of the call at 9 p.m.," she said.

The women were driving a van registered to Companion Animal Rescue & Education in North Carolina.
"Four puppies were inside crates in the van, even though the two women had paid the necessary fee to allow animals in the hotel room," Bledsoe said.

"The women were issued criminal summons – four counts each – and released after the officer made them take the puppies into the room and provide them with food and water," Bledsoe said.  

Gail Wells, 59, of Macon, North Carolina was arrested on four counts of animal cruelty.

Melanie Bolton, 37, of Warrenton, North Carolina was arrested on four counts of animal cruelty.

Hot Cars and Pets

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports the interior temperature of vehicles parked in outside temperatures ranging from 72 to 96° F rises steadily as time increases, even with windows opened slightly.

For example, an outside temperature of 80 degrees would have risen to 123 degrees inside a vehicle in 60 minutes, according to the study.

A chart by Jan Null of the San Francisco State University Department of Geosciences details the findings.

Hot Cars are Deadly for People and Pets

Pets should not be left outside or in cars on hot, humid days. Even with shade and water, pets, like people, can overheat.  Last week, two babies died in hot cars in separate incidents -- on in Arlington Va. and one in Lansdowne, Md..

Keeping Pets Cool

Police offer the following tips for pet owners:

• Never leave pets in a parked car. On a warm day, temperatures can rapidly rise to dangerous levels.
• Shade and water are vital to pets. Pet owners must provide adequate shelter protecting animals from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, and adverse effects of heat or cold. A dog house in the backyard with no access to shade does not protect animals from sun.
• Limit exercise on hot days. Take care to adjust intensity and duration of exercise. Watch for shortness of breath and remember that asphalt gets very hot and can burn paws; walk your dog on the grass if possible.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke. If your pet shows signs such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, fever, dizziness, restlessness, excessive thirst and profuse salivation, contact your veterinarian immediately. Take steps to reduce the animal’s body temperature; apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest, provide water and ice cubes for hydration, and move the animal into the shade or air-conditioning.