Dog Rescued from Hot Car at Boro-Park, Teen to be Cited

A Stockertown teen will be cited for animal cruelty and disorderly conduct after he allegedly left a dog unattended inside his car Thursday at , according to Police Chief Thomas Trachta.

The car's internal temperature reached over 100 degrees, Trachta estimated in an incident investigation report. arrived Thursday as the official high temperature at Lehigh Valley International Airport hit 90.

According to Trachta, the car was situated in direct sunlight and the front two windows were cracked about two inches.

Jeremy Longo, 18, who was at the skate park when police arrived, will also be cited for disorderly conduct because he allegedly became uncooperative and attempted to leave with the dog, according to Trachta.

In his report, Trachta writes, "[Longo] felt that he did nothing wrong and the police were ridiculous for removing the dog from the vehicle."

A crowd began to gather as Longo allegedly used profanities, according to Trachta.

A woman leaving the park's pool spotted the dog while getting into her car, which was parked next to Longo's, and called police. According to Trachta, the woman, who was not identified, "was very upset and was crying over the way this animal was being treated..."

Trachta removed the dog from the car and took it to a shady spot. The dog was then given water.

Longo's sister, Jessica Watson, 26, of Nazareth claimed ownership over the dog, but could not provide formal documentation, according to Trachta. The dog was released to Watson with the instructions that the dog be quarantined until it is properly vaccinated and licensed.

The Nazareth Borough Animal Control Officer gave Watson 48 hours to comply with Pennsylvania's Dog Laws and to produce the proper documentation.

Longo's vehicle then had to be towed from the scene. In addition to having a "huge" crack in the windshield, the vehicle also had an expired registration and inspection. According to Trachta, Longo could not provide a valid insurance card.

Longo was cited on June 4 by the Bethlehem Police Department for driving a vehicle without required financial responsibility, according to court documents.

The following information was supplied by the Nazareth Borough Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

The safest place for your pet on sunny days is in a shady, cool spot -- not in a car, even if it's just for a few minutes, according to the American Red Cross.

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include:

• Heavy panting, and not being unable to calm down, even when lying down.
• Gum color may be brick red
• Pulse rate may be fast
• May not be able to get up

"If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally," the American Red Cross says. "If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage."