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Woman From New Mexico Charged With Leaving Dog In Hot Car At Westport YMCA

WESTPORT, Conn. — A woman from New Mexico was arrested after she left her dog inside her car, where the temperature soared to 113 degrees, while she worked out at the Westport-Weston YMCA, police said.  

Lakesha Williams

Lakesha Williams

Photo Credit: Westport Police Department

Lakesha Williams, 39, of Albuquerque, was charged with animal cruelty in the incident on Wednesday, July 19, police said.

At about 11:30 that day, the Animal Control Officer and police officers were dispatched to the YMCA on a report of a dog inside a vehicle, police said. 

The 911 caller was concerned because the temperature at the time was into the 90s, police said. 

When the Animal Control Officer arrived, she took temperature readings and found that the outside surface temperature of the vehicle was 136 degrees and the temperature inside the car was 113 degrees, police said. 

Worried that the dog was in imminent danger, she entered the vehicle and removed the animal, police said. 

The animal was panting heavily when taken from the hot car, police said. 

Williams, the owner of the dog, was inside the YMCA, police said. When she finally came outside, Williams said she did not think her dog was in jeopardy because she had left the windows partially open, police said. 

The windows, though, were only open about a half-inch, police said.

The dog was taken to an animal hospital as a precaution, police said.

Williams was arrested and held on $500 bond for a July 20 court date.

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