Dog Left On Brick Balcony For Hours In Heat; Owner Charged

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township woman has been charged after her dog was found in distress after being left on her balcony in direct sun for several hours on Sunday, Brick police said Tuesday.

Jade Brown on Monday was issued a summons for failure to provide care for an animal, Sgt. Jim Kelly said. The dog, a pit bull mix, has been taken from her, he said.

Brick Officers Scott Smith and Joe Lardieri and Sgt. Jason Shepherd responded to a 4:10 p.m. call Sunday to the Sawmill Road home and found the dog on the balcony, panting heavily and barking.

The caller told police the dog had been on the third-story balcony for several hours, Kelly said. A laser gauge recorded a surface temperature of more than 110 degrees on the balcony.

After knocking at the front door and getting no response, the officers called Herbertsville Fire Company, which brought a ladder so police could reach the dog. Smith climbed the ladder and let the dog into the residence through sliding glass doors, as residents who had gathered to watch cheered, Kelly said.

Inside the residencen he found a woman sleeping, but learned she was a roommate and did not own the dog.

The dog was taken to an emergency veterinarian for overnight treatment and observation while police determined who owned her. The dog is being cared for at a local animal shelter, Kelly said.

Shepherd praising the efforts to rescue the dog.

"I’m just glad someone called it in in time for us to get to the dog," Shepherd said. "The fire department and the guys all did a great job."

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.