A Nashville woman was arrested in Florida on Tuesday after she left her dog in a hot car while on a trip to the beach.
Marie Rutherford, 40, was booked into Pinellas County Jail on a charge of animal cruelty after rescuing her dog from a hot car in the Pier 60 parking lot in Clearwater Beach. FOX 13 Tampa Bay report.
According to the outlet, Clearwater Police officers responded to the parking lot around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of an animal in distress.
Upon arriving at the car, which was parked in the sun when outside temperatures were around 90 degrees, officers found a pit bull sitting in the back seat.
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Clearwater police arrested Marie Rutherford, 40, on suspicion of animal cruelty after she left her dog in a hot car while she went to the beach. (Clearwater Police Department/FOX 13 Tampa Bay)
The car’s window was broken by about two to three inches, but the dog was panting, sweating profusely, appeared to be in distress and appeared to be asleep, according to Clearwater police.
Body camera footage of the rescue operation showed an officer breaking the passenger side window and unlocking the door, while another officer tended to the dog, removing it from the car and giving it fresh water.
Police said there was some water for the dog in the car, but it was not warm and there wasn’t enough of it.
Police say the dog was in the car for 30 to 40 minutes during a time when temperatures outside were around 90 degrees. (Clearwater Police Department)
What should you do if you find a pet in a hot car?
According to the affidavit viewed by FOX13, Rutherford admitted to police that he was the dog’s owner and said he left water in his car and assumed the dog would be OK while he was at the beach.
Marie Rutherford, 40, was arrested in Clearwater Beach, Florida, on suspicion of animal cruelty. (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
Police say the dog was in the car for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Clearwater Beach does not allow pets on the sand at the public bathing area, except for service animals, but leashed dogs are allowed in the North Beach section and along the Beach Walk.
According to the Clearwater Beach, Florida website, pets are not allowed on the sand at the beach’s public swimming area. (Brian R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)
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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals advises not to leave pets in cars for long periods of time, as the temperature inside a car can reach up to 20 degrees higher than the outside temperature within 10 minutes, which can lead to fatal heatstroke.
The ASPCA also notes that opening the windows won’t prevent the interior of a car from overheating, and recommends leaving pets at home if traveling to areas where they’re not welcome.
