The passerby called police, saying she feared for the dog’s safety, according to a police report. A Miami University police officer responded and found the dog to be panting hard.
The woman who made the call was able to fit her arm through an opening in the car window and unlock the vehicle. The animal was then turned over to Oxford animal control officers, who called an Oxford police officer for a report.
A notice was left on the car saying the dog was at the Oxford Police Department, where it was eating and drinking water normally.
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The vehicle registration was checked and found to belong to Jessica Deatley, 35, who called the department at approximately 1:15 p.m. about the dog.
She said she “forgot” about the dog and did not think it was that hot outside, although the police report said the car was parked in direct sunlight.
Deatley said a man she only knows as “Dave” must have put the dog in the car after she parked it to attend the Edgewood High School graduation.
She said she did not know “Dave’s” last name but she had left her dog with him in Amelia the previous night and planned to pick the dog up later.
She provided an address for “Dave,” but it turned out to not exist.
The officer issued a citation for animal cruelty after reasoning “Dave” would have had to drive to Oxford from Amelia, locate Deatley’s car in the large Millett Hall parking lot and put the dog inside.
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