Dog rescued from hot car in Clearwater
Clearwater police rescued a pitbull that was left in a hot car after they say its owner was at the beach.
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CLEARWATER, Fla. – A woman is facing animal cruelty charges after police say she left a dog in a hot car at Clearwater Beach earlier this week.
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Clearwater police went to the Pier 60 parking lot around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday to investigate a report of an animal in distress.
Upon arrival, the officers found a pitbull sitting in the backseat of a vehicle that was parked in the sun.
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Clearwater police smashed a car’s window in a beach parking lot to rescue a pitbull that was left inside. Courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department. –> <!–>
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According to the Clearwater Police Department, the windows were cracked about 2–3 inches, which was not enough for appropriate airflow.
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The outside air temperature was about 90 degrees at the time.
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The officers said the dog was panting and seemed to be in distress. Police say the dog appeared to be falling asleep and was sweating profusely.
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READ: Report finds ‘urgent need’ for prevention against child hot car deaths
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Bodycam video shows an officer smashing the car’s window and unlocking the doors, so another officer could help the dog out of the vehicle.
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After freeing the dog, police gave it water from their thermos. Courtesy: Clearwater Police Department. <!–>
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After freeing the dog, the officers gave it water from a thermos in their car.
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The officers say that while there was a small amount of water in the car, it was not enough and was warm to the touch.
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Police say Marie Rutherford, 40, of Nashville, Tennessee, admitted to being the dog’s owner and said she left the dog in the car while she went to the beach.
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Marie Rutherford mugshot courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. <!–>
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According to an affidavit, Rutherford said she assumed the dog would be fine because she left some water for it.
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The dog was in the vehicle for about 30–40 minutes, according to police.
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