Woman Who Left Dog To Die In Hot Car Charged With Felony

TRUSSVILLE, AL - A woman who left her dog in her car in a Walmart parking lot is facing felony charges after the dog died of heat stroke. Stephanie Shae Thomas, 34, of Trussville has been charged with a felony warrant in connection to the July 4 incident, according to the Trussville Police Department.

A report by the Trussville Tribune stated the investigation showed that Thomas had parked the car in the parking lot at approximately 4 a.m. July 4 and went inside Walmart. She returned to her car at noon after her dog had already died.

Read more on the incident here:

Dog Dies In Hot Car Parked Outside Trussville Walmart

Trussville PD Lt. Phil Dillon said a police officer was called around 11 a.m. by someone who saw the dog in the car, and the officer had the store page the name of the car owner over the loud speaker, but no one responded. Dillon said the supervisor arrived within minutes and observed that the dog was breathing, but in distress. He knocked the car window out in an effort to save the dog, but those efforts failed and the dog died.

Thomas reportedly was released a the scene but told the Trussville PD would be in touch. She turned herself in to police Thursday. She has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and is being held at the Jefferson County Jail on $25,000 bond.

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Photo via Trussville PD