Dog dies in hot car

SANDUSKY — A woman killed her dog by locking it in a hot car on Saturday, according to a police. It was a violent messy end for the animal, according to a description in a report filed by officers on Saturday after they arrested Mouheb Ashakih, 58, of the 1000 block of Perry St. She's charged with felony cruelty to animals. Police went to Ashakih's home after getting a call from a neighbor. The neighbor told police he saw Ashakih put the white and tan dog in the vehicle about 20 minutes prior, and the car's windows were rolled up, according to the police report. He told police Ashakih refused to let the dog out, according to the report. He also told them she had four dogs inside the home. When police talked with her they could not see a dog inside a vehicle. But Ashakih told officers she put the dog, "Chapo," in the vehicle after it attacked one of her other dogs. She said she was punishing the animal, according to the report. It was 81 degrees Fahrenheit at the time and humid. The officers rushed to the car, climbing over a fence to get to it. But the dog was collapsed at the rear passenger side floorboard, not moving. The vehicle's doors were locked and no keys were accessible. The officers smashed a window to open the car door. The dog was not be breathing with no signs of life, according to the report. It was stiff and hot to the touch. The vehicle's interior was destroyed, covered in blood as if the dog was struggling, desperately attempting to get out of the vehicle. The dog's paws were bleeding, cut and were covered in blood, the report said. Police arrested Ashakih and after explaining why she was being detained, she made concerning statements, leading to her being transferred to Firelands Regional Medical Center for a mental evaluation. Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver said the incident was tragic and terrible. "The dog was fighting for his life inside this car," Oliver said. "The dog struggled inside the car but he was overcome by the heat. It's just terrible." After being cleared, Ashakih was transported back to the residence and gave consent for officers and the Erie County dog warden, Barb Knapp, to remove the four remaining canines. Oliver said the other four dogs are "fine" and with the warden. According to police, she said she wants to adopt more animals but that she wanted the warden to take and care of the dogs. Ashakih is being held at the Erie County Jail without bond.