#Westport CT–On July 19, 2017 at approximately 1130am, the Animal Control Officer (ACO) and police officers were dispatched to the Westport/Weston YMCA on a report of a dog left inside a vehicle. The caller was concerned because the outside temperature at the time of this call was into the 90s. When the ACO arrived, she immediately took temperature readings and found that the outside surface temperature of the vehicle was 136 degrees Fahrenheit and temperature inside the car was 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Worried that the animal was in imminent danger, the ACO entered the vehicle and removed the dog. Upon removal, the animal was panting heavily. The owner of the dog (Lakesha Williams), who was inside the YMCA, finally came outside and did not think her dog was in jeopardy as she had left the windows partially open. The windows,
though, were only open about a half inch.

Based upon the investigation, Ms. Williams was placed under arrest and charged with animal cruelty. As Ms. Williams was unable to post the $500 bond she was transported to court the morning of July 20, 2017.
The dog was brought to the animal hospital as a precaution.

(Westport Police Press Release)