Dog Left On Boat Without Food, Water In 100 Degree Heat In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A man left a dog on a boat without food or water in 100 degree weather in Stafford on Saturday, police said. Authorities said the man did not own the boat and stole beer from the fridge.

Animal control officers took custody of the dog. No injuries were reported, police said.

Authorities identified the man as 28-year-old John Allen. Allen is charged with unauthorized use of a boat, animal cruelty, destruction of property, possession of a controlled substance, petit larceny, and public intoxication. He was later released on a $2,500 secured bond.

Allen's next court date is scheduled for Aug. 2.

Around 4 p.m. on Saturday, a Stafford County deputy went to the Hope Springs Marina after a victim said someone damaged their boat. The victim said someone stole beer out of the fridge, destroyed a sink, tore off parts of the wall, and there was a water backup in the pipes.

When the deputy climbed aboard the boat, they found a dog that was stuck and unable to get to shore, according to the police report. There was no food or water left for the dog and temperatures neared 100 degrees.

Animal control officers took the dog while the deputy searched the boat, authorities said. The deputy found personal items on the boat that didn't belong to the owner, including Allen's wallet.

When the deputy returned to shore, marina staff told them that Allen was still there. The deputy found him asleep in the back of his vehicle, police said.

When Allen woke up, he told the deputy that the dog was his. The deputy said Allen had bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

Allen said he was on the boat with his dog to fix damages. The boat owner disagreed, according to the sheriff's office.

The deputy took Allen into custody, and marina staff asked to have his vehicle towed. When the deputy searched the vehicle, they found a controlled substance, according to the police report.