A Third Arrest For A Dog In A Hot Car: Southington PD

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Local police late Wednesday morning announced a third arrest of a suspect accused of leaving a dog in a hot car, this time outside a local supermarket over the weekend.

Southington police said in a statement Salvatore Conaci, 65, of 543 W. Center St. Ext., Southington, was charged with a misdemeanor summons of animal cruelty.

He was released on $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court Aug. 4, according to police.

Police said on Saturday, July 23, at approximately 5:30 p.m., an officer was sent to the Shop Rite supermarket at 750 Queen St. for a report of a dog left in a vehicle that wasn't running.

At the time of the call, weather reports showed it was 91 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity level of 42 percent, according to police.

The SPD said an arriving officer located a Red Chevrolet Trail Blazer parked toward the north entrance of Shop Rite, directly in the sunlight.

Police said the vehicle was not running at the time and windows were only open approximately one and a half inches, restricting airflow into the vehicle.

Noting the dog appeared to be in distress, officers were able to unlock the vehicle, police said.

Shortly after opening the vehicle, police said an officer spoke to the vehicle/pet owner, identified as Conaci.

According to police, Conaci said he believed leaving the windows open, water in the vehicle and his short time in the store meant he "didn't think it would be that bad."

Further police investigation revealed, on July 8, officers received a call to Ocean State Job Lot
and again on July 19 to Aldi’s, reporting a dog left in a vehicle — both involving Conaci, police said.

The SPD said, in these earlier incidents, Conaci returned and moved the vehicle prior to police arrival.

In this latest incident, Conaci is believed to have left his dog unattended in the vehicle for approximately 15 to 25 minutes, according to police.

Police said the Southington animal control officer estimated the internal temperature of the vehicle reached upwards of 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit.

This was the third similar arrest made by Southington police this week.

On Tuesday, police announced the arrest of a Wilton woman accused of leaving a dog in a hot car late last month at a local health care center. The dog recovered.

Earlier in the day Wednesday, police announced the arrest of a Cheshire woman accused of leaving a dog in a hot car late last month at the Southington Public Library. The dog died.

For the Southington Police Department's Facebook page, click on this link.

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