Staten Island Man Arrested For Allegedly Locking 2 Dogs Inside Hot Car In Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A Staten Island man faces charges after police say they found two dogs locked inside a hot car in Brooklyn.
It happened around 10:20 a.m. Saturday on 64th Street between 10th and 11th avenues in Bensonhurst.
Geri Badolato told CBS2's Marc Liverman that she and husband Charlie first noticed the dogs clawing at the windows and barking. The owner was no where to be found, so they called police.
Officers responded and rescued the dogs, administering oxygen and cooling them off. They were taken to a local animal hospital, one in critical condition.
"The big dog came out, he was OK. The little dog -- terrible... His tongue was hanging," Geri said. "Right away, put him in the backseat of the car, and they went away with sirens going."
"The heat was really tremendous in that car, you know windows shut -- it had to be an inferno in there," Charlie added.
Kenneth Schnabel, 54, was located a few houses away, Liverman reported. He was charged with aggravated assault to animals and neglect of animals, among other counts.
"Very angry. He had some nerve," said Geri. "I'd like to lock him in a car and keep him there overnight and see how he feels."
Police sources said Schnabel told officers he parked the car and forgot the dogs were inside.
"I was very overcome by all that. You know, they can't help themselves, little dogs," Geri said.
The temperature outside was about 80 degrees at the time.
On its website, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals warns of the dangers of leaving pets in cars on hot days, saying on a 85-degree day, a car's interior temperature can climb to 120 degrees in just half an hour. Find more pet safety tips here.
