Dog left in car for hours, nearly dies; Owner facing charges

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Larimer man is facing animal cruelty charges after he left his dog in a car for nearly three hours, officials said.

Humane officers said Alex Berman’s dog, Jimi, nearly died of heat stroke after being left in the hot car.

According to the criminal complaint, Jimi was lying on his side, shaking and unable to sit up when he was brought to the Animal Rescue League.

“He's saying he got distracted, so maybe he had forgotten, or time got away from him and he didn't realize how long it had been, but people need to realize cars heat up very quickly,” said Dan Rossi, executive director of the Animal Rescue League.

Jimi has since recovered.

(WPXI Pittsburgh - Oct 8, 2013)