Trainer Jodi Meyers charged with animal cruelty after guide dog left in van on hot day dies, Suffolk SPCA says
Milton, a 3-year-old black Labrador retriever, died after being left for more than five hours inside a crate in a van on a hot July day, the Suffolk County SPCA said. Credit: Suffolk SPCA
A 3-year-old black Labrador retriever and guide dog named Milton died after a trainer left him in a locked crate inside a van on a hot July day, the Suffolk County SPCA said in a statement announcing charges in the case Friday.
Trainer Jodi Meyers, 51, of Lake Grove, an employee of the Guide Dog Foundation in Smithtown, has been charged with one count of animal cruelty and one count of failing to provide shelter and air for Milton.
"The dog was found dead 5 1/2 hours later," the SPCA said, estimating the temperature outside on July 22 was 90 degrees.
Meyers surrendered to SPCA detectives on Wednesday. She is scheduled to appear in First District Court, Central Islip, on Oct. 11.
Neither Milton's owner nor the defendant could be reached immediately. The foundation had no immediate comment.
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