Dog Left In Hot Vehicle Leads To Animal Cruelty Charge For Maryland Woman: Police

A Maryland woman is facing animal cruelty charges after leaving her dog inside a locked vehicle with the windows up during the recent run of hot weather, police in Hagerstown said.

The dog was found inside a hot car in the 1700 block of Wesel Boulevard in Hagerstown
Photo Credit: *Google Maps street view*

Zak Failla

09/07/2022 10:37 a.m.

Mervet Rinehart, 61, was charged by members of the Hagerstown Police Department after allegedly leaving her dog in a hot vehicle in a shopping center in the 1700 block of Wesel Boulevard for more than an hour, according to authorities.

Police said that a Good Samaritan passing by noticed the dog and was able to unlock the door and the animal free by accessing the sunroof of the vehicle.

At the time of the incident, officials said that the vehicle was not running and the temperature inside was estimated at approximately 100 degrees.

Rinehart was charged and the Washington County Humane Society took possession of the dog and "will also be placing appropriate charges," police said.

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