Danbury Man Charged After Discovery Of Dog In Hot Car: PD

NEW CANAAN, CT — A 55-year-old Danbury man was issued a misdemeanor summons by New Canaan police on Thursday evening after officers said he left a dog in a hot car with the windows rolled up, according to authorities.

How long the dog had been left in the vehicle was unknown, but when police arrived at Lumberyard Municipal parking lot in downtown New Canaan, the windows of the car were fogged up, and the dog was seen "with its tongue sticking out and breathing heavily."

Police had received a complaint about the dog having been left in the vehicle at about 6:30 p.m., and in addition to the windows being up, the vehicle also was not running.

Officers were able to get into the car and remove the dog, which police said "displayed signs of distress." The dog was taken to the Norwalk Emergency Veterinary Center for evaluation and treatment for dehydration.

Police found the vehicle's operator, Stephen Hughes, of Carriage House Drive, and issued him a summons charging him with cruelty to animals. He was released at the scene on a promise to appear in court on July 28.