Woman Left Dog In Hot Car: Southington Police

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A 58-year-old Wilton woman was charged Monday with cruelty to animals after police said she left a dog in a hot car late last month.

According to a Southington Police Department release issued Tuesday morning, Denise Kedzierski, 58, of 12 Glen Ridge, Wilton, was charged with cruelty to animals.

Police said she was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and is expected to appear in New Britain Superior Court Aug. 8.

Southington police said, on June 30, at approximately 1:45 p.m. officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Southington Care Center, 45 Meriden Ave., for the report of an unattended dog in a vehicle.

An arriving officer located the vehicle, a white Jeep Cherokee, and the vehicle's owner,
Kedzierski, police said.

The Southington Police Department said Kedzierski reported to police she had left her dog in her vehicle for no more than 20 minutes while inside Southington Care Center visiting.

According to police, she stated the windows had been rolled down to allow air to enter the vehicle.
Police said the responding officer noted at the time of the call, the temperature was 83.8 degrees.

Witnessed reported noticing something inside the vehicle, which turned out to be a dog, police said.

Police said the vehicle was parked directly in the sunlight and the dog appeared increasingly lethargic, was breathing heavy and panting.

Both officers and witnesses reported the dog had been in the vehicle at least 25 minutes with the two front windows open approximately 2-3 inches, according to police.

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