Police: Woman left dog in hot car

SANDUSKY — A Parma woman was arrested on Sunday after she allegedly left her dog in a car while she spent time at Cedar Point. The 22-year-old was charged with one second-degree misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals. At about 2 p.m., Sandusky police officers received a call about a dog locked in a car. Officers located a Honda SUV parked in the main parking lot and a four- to six-month-old German shepherd puppy was curled up on the rear passenger seat, panting heavily, according to a Sandusky police report. Officers noted that the heat index at the time was about 85 degrees. The SUV's passenger-side windows were rolled down about one to one-and-a-half inches, the report states. Officers did not observe any water near the dog. With all of their observations, officers determined they would make entry to the vehicle and remove the dog. One officer attempted numerous times to call the registered owner of the vehicle, without success, the report states. Cedar Point maintenance arrived and was able to gain access to the vehicle. Once the puppy was removed from the SUV, officers provided it with water. They noted that the dog continued to pant and was warm to the touch. The next step was to review security footage to determine when the vehicle entered the parking lot. That video showed the vehicle arrived at 11:14 a.m., and four occupants exited two minutes later to enter the park, according to the report. An officer took a photo of the four subjects, then, as he was walking through the park, he found a group of people who matched the description. Officers determined the Parma woman drove the vehicle to the park. They informed her that the dog was taken to Cedar Point's dog day care. The woman was taken to Erie County Jail and given a $2,500 bond.