Puppy Left in Hot Car for 10 Hours Gets New Home: Police

Two men who police say left their puppy in a hot car for 10 hours in Hyannis have lost possession of the animal.

Matthew Bernier, 27, of Westport (at left), and Justin Wagner, 29, of Fall River, were charged with felony animal cruelty after police said they locked the animal in a vehicle while they went on a drunken bender in Hyannis and Falmouth.

In court this week, the men agreed to give up the animal as part of a probation deal, according to the Cape Cod Times.

The men were arrested last month.

Police said they first encountered the pair at about midnight at the Tap City Grill, where they got drunk and refused to leave. The pair then took a cab to Falmouth, police said.

A short time later, the pair ended up at the Duck Inn Pub and called police, saying someone stole their car. Officers said the men were so drunk they couldn’t find their vehicle—no one actually stole it.

At that point, police said they learned the men left the puppy in a vehicle the whole time they were out drinking. The dog was last seen at about 5 p.m., police said.

Officers found the vehicle in the Main Street area at about 3 a.m.

“The temperature at that time was 82 degrees with humidity at 65 percent,” police said in a statement. “Officers found that the vehicle’s windows were not open at all and there was a dog inside in distress.

“The dog was in a homemade ’kennel’ made out of a box and a blue tarp in the truck cab. The ... puppy was panting heavily and appeared frightened.”

Officers gave the puppy water and it appeared to improve. The dog was nicknamed “Midnight” and turned over to animal control.

“Midnight” after she was rescued by police. (Credit: Barnstable police)

The puppy is now in the care of the Animal Inn in Sandwich, according to the Times.

Bernier flipped off the camera as his mugshot was taken following his arrest:

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