HCSO NARRATIVE:
“Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies rescued a puppy from a hot car in Gainesville and charged its owner on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 22.
Deputies arrested Brittany Deanne Hardy, 26, of Whittier, North Carolina, on charges of cruelty to animals (misdemeanor) and possession of methamphetamine (felony).
A HCSO Court Services Division deputy responded to a report of the puppy, approximately six-to-eight weeks old, locked in a parked car with the windows slightly cracked at the intersection of Broad Street and Henry Ward Way in downtown Gainesville. The car was not running and was parked in direct sunlight.
Deputies were able to gain access to the car without damaging it and get the puppy out. They placed the puppy in an air-conditioned patrol vehicle and gave it water. While trying to find identifying information for the vehicle owner, deputies located a syringe full of methamphetamine inside the car.
Deputies identified the owner as Hardy and located her in the Hall County Courthouse. According to the preliminary investigation, she had been inside for approximately 45 minutes.
Hall County Animal Control and Enforcement took possession of the puppy, which is expected to be OK. Animal control officers’ infrared thermometer readings for the car interior indicated it was between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hardy remained in the Hall County Jail without bond on Thursday morning, Aug. 24.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: In the earlier instance, an older dog was found in a hot car at Lakeshore Mall Sunday. Gainesville Police charged its owner It’s owner with animal cruelty and that dog was also turned over to animal control.)