Louisiana Man Arrested for Leaving His Dog in the Dangerous Heat

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If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Take care of your pets!  Sure, that's a pretty general statement, so let me be more specific: Please, make sure your pets are protected from the intense summer heat!  Unfortunately, I could continue saying that until the eventual heat death of the universe and someone would still do the exact opposite.

Case in point: BR Proud is reporting that last week, a Mandeville man was arrested after he left his pet dog outside.  You have to keep in mind that temperatures were in the triple-digits when this happened.  According to the report, deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office responded to a call about a dog tied up outside on a 114° day.  When authorities arrived, they found a deceased dog still tethered in the yard.  That's when deputies noticed that this poor dog was left to die in the blazing heat with no water, shade, food, or shelter at all.

Law enforcement officials immediately tracked down the dogs owner, 27-year-old Christopher Jackson, and placed him under arrest.  Jackson is being charged with Animal Cruelty.  The dogs body was retrieved by St. Tammany Parish Animal Services.

This disturbing crime highlights just how dangerous it is to leave your pets outside during the dangerous Louisiana summer.  To remind us all to take better care of our furry little friends, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith provided this statement to BR Proud:

It is extremely hot outside. I plead to all pet owners to please make sure your pets have adequate water, food and some place to go to stay cool. Our pets cannot tell us when they are hot or when they are thirsty. They rely on us to care for them, and in this case this man failed to provide the bare minimum and his dog died as a result.

I know that some dogs spend their lives outdoors, but when it's this hot it can be cruel.  If you can't bring them inside during the day, make sure to provide adequate shade, water, and food.  It's the least we can do for man's best friend.