Alabama: Tracy Echols, 41, arrested after leaving dogs unattended in hot car

ALABAMA -- Dothan police arrested a woman over the holiday weekend on an animal cruelty charge for allegedly leaving two dogs inside a car unattended.

Dothan Police Lt. Will Glover confirmed police arrested Tracy Diane Echols, 41, of Prattville, and charged her with misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Glover said police officers responded to the parking lot of the Chow King restaurant located in the 3112 Ross Clark Circle on Sunday. He said patrol officers found two dogs inside the vehicle who were “panting heavily.”

Police Capt. Will Benny said all four of the vehicle’s windows were partially open, but the dogs had apparently been left unattended in the vehicle for at least an hour. Benny said the dogs found in the vehicle were described as a short-haired brown dog and a white and black longer-haired dog.

Benny said it was reportedly 93 degrees on Sunday, which had a heat index that made temperatures feel hotter.

Glover said the dogs were seized by Dothan Animal Control officers. He said Echols was booked into the Dothan City Jail on the misdemeanor charge, and the vehicle was turned over to the suspect’s husband.

Benny encouraged people to call the police if they see any dogs left unattended in vehicles during the hot summer months.

“It’s important, this is a dog and it doesn’t deserve to burn up in a hot car,” Benny said.

(Dothan Eagle - July 5, 2016)