Florida: Shirley Thomas, 46, arrested after Chihuahua found panting in hot car

FLORIDA -- A woman was taken to the Duval County Jail after she was accused of leaving her dog in a hot car at UF Health.

Shirley Thomas, 46, was arrested and charged with Cruelty to Animals after a witness observed a small Chihuahua panting heavily inside a locked car with the windows only slightly cracked, a police report said.

The incident happened around noon on Thursday.

A security officer at the hospital saw the dog and notified the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, who responded to the car. JSO said in a police report that Thomas observed JSO near her car and refused to approach the car for several minutes.

JSO said Thomas was “very belligerent” and struggled when officers tried to handcuff her. Thomas was also charged with resisting arrest.

The dog was removed from the car and given water by the suspect’s three daughters.

(WJAX CBS Jacksonville - July 22, 2016)