In a heart-wrenching incident that highlights the dangers of leaving pets unattended in hot vehicles, a Florida woman has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after her pit bull tragically died. The incident took place in Hollywood, Florida. The dog’s owner, Sasha Koval, 27, allegedly left her pet in the car for an astounding 20 hours while she went to work.

Source: CBS Miami/YouTube

Authorities were alerted to reports of animal neglect on June 19th at approximately 8 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, officers from the Hollywood Police Department discovered a deceased brindle pit bull on the floorboard of a vehicle, as reported by ABC affiliate WPLG. Koval was apprehended on July 7th and subsequently questioned by the police.

According to NBC affiliate WJAC, Koval admitted to leaving the dog in the car and claimed to have discovered them lifeless upon waking up on the afternoon of June 19th. It was determined that she had left the pit bull in her vehicle on the night of June 18th when she went to her night shift.

The incident occurred during a period of high temperatures, with recorded highs of 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 73.4 degrees. The American Kennel Club emphasizes that leaving dogs in cars, even with the windows slightly open, can still pose serious risks. The temperature inside a vehicle parked in 70-degree Fahrenheit weather can skyrocket to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes, warns the AKC. On sweltering days, the temperature can rise to a scalding 140 degrees Fahrenheit in under an hour.

Heatstroke poses a significant threat to all dogs, making it crucial for owners to be aware of their pets’ limits and take appropriate precautions. Unfortunately, in this instance, the pit bull paid the ultimate price for being left in a hot car for an extended period.

As a consequence of her actions, Sasha Koval now faces one count of aggravated animal cruelty. She has been taken to the Broward County Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale, where she will await further legal proceedings. Under Florida law, aggravated animal cruelty is considered a third-degree felony, carrying a penalty of a $10,000 fine and a maximum imprisonment of 5 years, or both.

Sign this petition to display posters to remind dog owners to not leave their pups in hot cars.

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