SPCA finds dog left in truck overnight

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Wednesday's steamy temperatures were hard to ignore, but can you imagine being trapped in a car with hardly any ventilation and no water? That's exactly what happened to Loki, an Australian shepherd.

Sergio, the manager at the Lake Effect Diner on Main Street, was shocked when he noticed the dog inside the truck in the parking lot near The Steer. He called animal rescuers and Buffalo Police.

“Very promptly the SPCA showed up and rescued the dog,” he said. “It is a very hot day and it’s ridiculous that someone could leave an animal for any period of time.”

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Animal investigators say, Wednesday morning, they found the dog tied up inside the truck and the temperature inside had already reached 102 degrees.

Luckily Loki is going to be just fine, but SPCA investigators say things could have turned out much worse.

Erie County SPCA Chief Investigator Michael Armatys said, “It doesn't take long for them to go into heat stress. Once they go into heat stress you've got to rush them back or get them to a local vet cool them down and hopefully save their lives.”

On hot days like this, animal investigators say pet owners need to use common sense, something Loki's owner seemed to be lacking.

If Loki went into heat distress her owner could have been served a $1,000 fine and been charged with a misdemeanor that carries up to one year in jail. Right now she's in the care of the Erie County SPCA until her owner learns what their punishment will be.

Armatys noted, “When I arrived the back window was open slightly, the dog was panting, I didn't see any water in there.”