Many Floridians have pets they love and adore, from the mundane cats and dogs to the more exotic pets like iguanas, snakes, hedgehogs, and chinchillas. Some pet owners like to take their best friends everywhere with them, but local animal advocates remind Tampa residents that it is important to always look out for a pet's well-being. In fact, certain intentional or negligent acts that have the potential to harm a pet could result in an owner facing animal cruelty charges.
Tampa has hot, humid summers, which is important to remember if you like to tote your pet around town with you. Unfortunately, dogs and other animals are not welcome at all locations, and it is a bad idea to leave your pet in the car. Even with cracked windows, the inside of a vehicle can reach scorching temperatures that could make your pet uncomfortable. Worse, longer exposure could cause your pet to suffer serious health complications, like heat exhaustion, or even die.
Nineteen-year-old Amy Chantarak seems to enjoy taking her pup everywhere she goes. The shopper was charged with animal cruelty after she left her dog in her car at the grand opening of the new Ikea store. Animal control officials responded after another shopper observed the three-month-old puppy, Mr. Snuggles, trapped in the vehicle. The shopper notified a police officer who was at the event. Mr. Snuggles had been trapped in the overheated car for at least 40 minutes. The outside temperature was about 90 degrees, making the inside of the car approximately 120 degrees, even with cracked windows.
Animal control officials rescued Mr. Snuggles and took him to the animal shelter. They plan to ask the court to re-home the brown and white dog, as they believe Chantarak is an unfit owner. Interestingly, Chantarak was charged with the same offense about two years ago, when police found a different dog locked in her car. She had left the dog in the car so as not to aggravate the allergies of people in the home she was visiting. Chantarak did not appear at her court date.
Tampa has hot, humid summers, which is important to remember if you like to tote your pet around town with you. Unfortunately, dogs and other animals are not welcome at all locations, and it is a bad idea to leave your pet in the car. Even with cracked windows, the inside of a vehicle can reach scorching temperatures that could make your pet uncomfortable. Worse, longer exposure could cause your pet to suffer serious health complications, like heat exhaustion, or even die.
Nineteen-year-old Amy Chantarak seems to enjoy taking her pup everywhere she goes. The shopper was charged with animal cruelty after she left her dog in her car at the grand opening of the new Ikea store. Animal control officials responded after another shopper observed the three-month-old puppy, Mr. Snuggles, trapped in the vehicle. The shopper notified a police officer who was at the event. Mr. Snuggles had been trapped in the overheated car for at least 40 minutes. The outside temperature was about 90 degrees, making the inside of the car approximately 120 degrees, even with cracked windows.
Animal control officials rescued Mr. Snuggles and took him to the animal shelter. They plan to ask the court to re-home the brown and white dog, as they believe Chantarak is an unfit owner. Interestingly, Chantarak was charged with the same offense about two years ago, when police found a different dog locked in her car. She had left the dog in the car so as not to aggravate the allergies of people in the home she was visiting. Chantarak did not appear at her court date.
