NAUGATUCK — Police have charged a borough man after they say he left a small terrier in his car as temperatures in the vehicle reached 100 degrees on Sunday.
The dog, named Bingo, was left in a car parked in the Walmart parking lot at 1100 New Haven Road, according to police. Naugatuck Animal Control responded at about 10:45 a.m. after police received several complaints.
An animal control officer saw the dog panting and used an infrared thermometer to determine the temperature inside was between 99.5 degrees and 102.5 degrees, police said.
Officers believe 46-year-old Andre Rodrigues left the dog in the car for at least 26 minutes.
Police charged Rodrigues with misdemeanor animal cruelty. He is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court Sept. 10.
