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Dog Euthanized, Owner Charged With Abuse After Yorkie Was Left In Hot Car For 2 Hours

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—On one of the hottest days of the year, police are sending out a warning: the heat can become deadly faster than you think for people and for pets. A woman is facing animal cruelty charges in Anne Arundel County after she left her small dog in the car until it was too late.

Christie Ileto has the details.

On Tuesday afternoon, as temperatures soared to nearly 90 degrees, police officers got a heartbreaking call from the Petco store on Forest Drive in Annapolis.

Monifa Pendelton, 44, of New York, frantically tried to save her dog, Chloe.

She told officers she was inside the store for quite some time before realizing she left Chloe inside her car with the windows rolled up for about two hours.

It was an "88 degree day," said Lt. TJ Smith, Anne Arundel County Police."Inside that car was probably well over 100 degrees."

Chloe was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic for heat stroke. But her organs were already shutting down, and she had to be euthanized.

Pendelton now faces four charges, including animal abuse and neglect.

"We hope that this is a stark reminder to people that this time of year you can't leave your pets, children or vulnerable adults in cars," Smith said.

Pendelton tells police she simply forgot that Chloe was in the car.

A necropsy is underway.

The charges Pendelton is facing carry significant fines and possible jail time.

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