What was supposed to be a night out at a Clearwater concert ended in handcuffs for a local couple after police say they left their dog trapped in a parked car for hours.
Officers say bystanders flagged them down Saturday after spotting a dog in distress inside a vehicle with the windows up. According to the arrest affidavit, police got into the car around 8 p.m. and found the animal barking, covered in fecal matter with matted fur, and in a vehicle interior that felt an estimated 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the outside air. Investigators also noted a water bowl with less than an inch of water.
The affidavit states that 57-year-old Leticia Locasto and 58-year-old Umberto Locasto arrived at the concert venue around 5 p.m. and did not return to the vehicle until about 9:30 p.m., according to WFLA. The couple now faces animal cruelty charges.
Charges and state law
Clearwater police charged the pair with animal cruelty. Under Florida law, cruelty to animals can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, while aggravated animal cruelty is a third-degree felony that carries up to five years in prison and fines as high as $10,000, according to Florida Statutes.
Dog's condition and the investigation
Police say the dog was transported to a local animal hospital for evaluation and treatment. Officers told investigators the couple did not check on the animal during the time it was left in the vehicle, a discrepancy noted in the arrest affidavit and reported by WFLA.
Local context
The case lands in the middle of a stretch of high-profile animal cruelty incidents in Pinellas County, with local coverage highlighting growing public scrutiny over how such cases are handled. A separate twins busted after tiny dog hurled from SUV case in Clearwater has already drawn attention to enforcement in the area.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Clearwater Police Department. Court records will show whether prosecutors seek enhanced charges as the investigation moves forward.
