A sixteen month old dog in Bellevue died on Monday after being left out in the sun for hours.
Animal Control Officers with the Nebraska Humane Society were called to an apartment near Harvell Drive and Galvin Road just before 1:00 PM for a dog in distress on a balcony.
Mark Langan with the Nebraska Humane Society says when officers arrived, it was too late. "We were notified by a neighbor of this dog on a balcony, it was an English Bulldog. Sadly we found the dog, who had died consistent with heat stroke." No one was home at the time the dog was found.
Witnesses told officers that the dog may have been left on the balcony in the direct sunlight for up to three hours. Officials say a bowl of water and food were found on the balcony with the dog, but that wasn't enough.
When the owners were interviewed, they stated that the dog had been left on the balcony since 11:30 AM, about an hour and a half before officers were called.
Langan says even though a bowl of water was available to the dog, it died because there was no shade or respite from the excessive heat. "This is a good example as to why you can not leave your pets out in direct heat like this. Best alternative, simply bring them in the house, let them enjoy the air conditioning along with you."
Bulldogs are known to have more difficulty panting out hot air and cooling down in the heat, due to their snub noses.
No charges have been filed yet, but Langan says charges will be filed. "We're currently investigating the situation. We've been in contact already with the Sarpy County Attorney's Office and charges will be forthcoming."
The investigation will determine if misdemeanor or felony charges will be filed.