A Port St. Lucie woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges in Lake Worth Beach after officers rescued her dog from a hot car. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report obtained by BocaNewsNow, the dog was in distress when deputies arrived.
The incident took place at 525 Lake Avenue, where a silver Chevrolet Equinox with Florida tag number XK80U was parked in direct sunlight. The car's front windows were slightly open, and the sunroof was ajar. The report noted that the temperature at the scene was 76 degrees Fahrenheit, with a UV index of 6, and the dog appeared overheated, with no food or water available.
Deputies used a baton to unlock the vehicle and immediately removed the dog, who was warm to the touch. Authorities identified the owner as Jacqualine L. Darr after the dog's name tag displayed her contact information. WPBF reported that the dog was placed in a patrol vehicle to cool down, and Darr was contacted to return to the scene.
Jacqueline Darr arrived at the scene and acknowledged that she had intentionally left her dog inside the vehicle while she was at the Irish Pub with her boyfriend. Darr was charged with animal cruelty and later released on a $1,000 bond. Further details on a court date are pending.
