June 28, 2009 in City

Dog left in closed car dies of injury

Owner jailed, held on cruelty charge
Alison Boggs
alisonb@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7132
 

A 1-year-old black Labrador retriever pulled Friday from a car with no windows open at the Spokane Valley Mall has died.

Charles M. Eschenbacher, 31, the dog’s owner, was booked into Spokane County Jail on Friday, charged with felony animal cruelty. He is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail and also has been charged with a misdemeanor related to confining or transporting an animal unsafely.

“This dog died a horrible death,” said Nancy Hill, director of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service. “It doesn’t have to be that hot. When the sun is striking a vehicle, the air …

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One comment on this story so far. Add yours!
  • jalmond on June 29 at 10:02 p.m.

    This is both sad and sickening. Anyone who would leave a pet (or a child) in a hot car is a moron and should be charged with a felony, not a misdemeanor. Unfortunately, you can see this all the time in parking lots. Thankfully most pets are not left long enough to die, just to suffer until their stupid owners return.

    As the officer said, call animal rescue , 911, or whatever right away. I also carry a large rubber mallet in my vehicle and if I see some poor dog in a hot car, by god I swear I will use my mallet to break out windows and free the dog. I urge you to do the same!

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