Dog left in parked car at Rochester Crossing dies amid Friday's heat

ROCHESTER - A New Hampshire woman was charged on Friday after her dog died due to severe heat inside her parked vehicle at Washington Crossing.
Officers responded around 7:10 p.m. after the dog's owner called police to report the tragedy.
Police say the woman had left the dog, a pug, in the vehicle while she did errands.
Police believe the dog died due to excessive heat as a result of its high internal temperature. The outdoor temperature at the time was around 80.
The woman, 48-year-old April Elaine Macneil, of Washington, was charged with Animals in Motor Vehicles, a misdemeanor B that carries no jail time, only a fine.
Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said while they could have petitioned the court move for a Class A misdemeanor which can carry jail time, he felt it was an appropriate charge given the owner did crack the windows and did park in an area that had some shade.
"I think given the circumstance surrounding the dog's death this charge was more appropriate than a cruelty charge," Pinkham said today.
Macneil will face the charges during an arraignment next month in Rochester District Court.
Police took the opportunity to remind pet owners that indoor vehicle temps can rise quickly now that warmer weather is here.