Two women left dogs in hot cars in New Paltz, police say

NEW YORK -- Two women have been charged here in recent days for leaving dogs confined in cars during “extreme heat,” police said Wednesday.

In both cases, the dogs were in distress but survived, according to New Paltz Police Lt. Rob Lucchesi. He said officers did not know how long the dogs had been confined

Maria Alvarado-Behl, 35, of 501E 118th St., New York, was arrested by New Paltz police about 7 p.m. Saturday near 38 Main St. in the village and charged with confining an animal in a vehicle in extreme heat, a violation, Lucchesi said.

The dog “appeared to be in distress,” according to the narrative in the police report about the arrest. Temperatures Saturday climbed into the 90s.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers unlocked the vehicle and waited for the owner to come forward, Lucchesi said. She was ticketed when she showed up.

About 7 p.m. Tuesday, when temperatures were in the low 80s, Natalia L. Rivera, 32, of 6551 Hull Ave., Maspeth, also was charged with confining an animal in a vehicle in extreme heat, Lucchesi said.

Officers responding to Rivera’s vehicle, also parked on Main Street, opened the car and were providing water to the dog when she arrived, the lieutenant said.

Alvarado-Behl and Rivera were released with tickets to appear in New Paltz Village Court.

(Daily Freeman - July 22, 2015)