2 people arrested after chained dog found dead in hot car, police say – KIRO 7 News Seattle

INDIANAPOLIS – A couple is facing charges for allegedly leaving a dog chained in a hot car, resulting in the animal’s death in the scorching temperatures, authorities said.

According to online Marion County court documents, Charles E. Thomas, 53, and Norma J. Light, 74, were arrested on June 20 for allegedly leaving a pit bull named Masus in their car, WISH-TV reported. Thomas was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and killing, and Light was charged with animal cruelty, according to the TV station.

Indianapolis Metro Police Department officers responded to the Intown Suites hotel on W. 85th Street around 6 p.m. EDT after receiving a report of a dog left in a Chevrolet, WXIN-TV reported.

According to the television station, officers arriving at the scene were directed to the north side of the building where the suspect vehicle was parked.

According to court documents, the hotel manager told police that the couple checked into the hotel around 3:10 p.m. EDT, WTHR-TV reported.

The manager said he noticed there were animals in the vehicle when a German Shepherd in the car was heard honking the horn, according to the television station.

The windows were open and the engine was turned off, WXIN reported.

After an investigation, the manager called animal control. He said he spoke with Light, who allegedly told him the pit bull, German shepherd and a cat were left in the vehicle because the hotel does not allow pets, WTHR reported. She said the pit bull belonged to Thomas, while she was the owner of the other two animals.

According to WISH, only service animals are allowed in the hotel.

According to court documents, Thomas went to the vehicle and told police the pit bull was dead, WXIN reported. Officers found the German Shepherd panting in the back seat of the vehicle.

Police also observed that a chain used to hold the pit bull was attached to a weight on the floor of the car, WISH reported.

Masus’ death was confirmed by animal control and collected. The cat and German Shepherd were given water and taken to a climate-controlled area, the TV station said.

“It’s terrible because it’s so preventable, you know? You just have to have some compassion for these dogs because they’re suffering just as much, if not more, than we are in this heat,” Darcie Kurtz, executive director of Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside, told WXIN. “Think about getting a fur coat.

“The signs of heat stroke are that they’re panting like crazy, then they become confused, disoriented and uncoordinated, desperately trying to get out. It’s a horrible feeling, then they collapse and can eventually die of heat stroke. It’s a horrible death.”

According to police, the outside temperature was 90 degrees when officers arrived at the hotel, WTHR reported.

“We can’t leave children in the back seat. We can’t leave dogs in the back seat. It’s way too hot, even for a few minutes,” IMPD Officer Amanda Hivschman told WXIN. “We want to remind residents that the city ordinance states that you must bring your animals inside if it’s over 90 degrees outside or if there’s a heat advisory in effect.”

Thomas and Light were booked into the Marion County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, records show.

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