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West Melbourne-Puppy Owner Arrested
West Melbourne-When you turn off your car, it can easily take only 10 minutes for the inside of your vehicle to raise by 20 degrees. On Friday, August 13th West Melbourne Police responded to the Walmart on Palm Bay Road due to a two month old puppy which was left in a hot vehicle and in distress. When the officer arrived on scene he discovered the puppy in the back seat weary and panting. The outside temperature was 92 degrees. The windows of the vehicle were cracked open but not enough for this helpless puppy to maintain a safe temperature. The officer was able to reach his hand through the window, unlock the door and remove the puppy who had been inside the vehicle for nearly 30 minutes. It would be another 5 minutes until the owner, Gary Cooper would walk out of the store where he was greeted by officers. Cooper was arrested and charged with Felony Animal Cruelty.
The puppy was turned over to Brevard County Animal Services, and Cooper was later released from the Brevard County Jail on a $5,000 bond. Dogs in hot cars can suffer from potentially fatal heat stroke in as little as 15 minutes. Dogs die in hot cars as they can overheat very quickly and struggle to cool themselves down, even when a window has been left open or water has been left in the car.
