WALTON COUNTY, FL – Deputies arrested a Houston man after rescuing a small dog left inside a scorching hot car for about an hour while he visited the beach, officials said.
Rescue and Arrest Details
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO):
- Multiple reports came in about a small dog trapped in a vehicle with windows slightly cracked but the engine off
- Deputies used a lock-out kit to enter the car and found the yorkie inside
- The dog was given water and appeared distressed
- Using the phone number on the dog’s collar, deputies contacted the owner, Andy Matute Villatoro, 26, who arrived and was arrested for animal cruelty
Animal Services measured the car’s interior temperature at 120 degrees, a life-threatening environment for any pet.
Heat Dangers for Pets in Cars
WCSO emphasized the dangers of leaving pets in cars on hot days, noting:
- Temperatures inside vehicles can exceed 100 degrees within 10 minutes even if windows are cracked
- Animals can suffer heatstroke, brain damage, or death rapidly
- Leaving a pet unattended in such conditions is illegal and considered inhumane
In a social media post, the sheriff’s office warned,
“It’s not only dangerous and inhumane — it’s illegal.”
Community Reminder
Authorities remind pet owners to never leave animals unattended in vehicles, especially during warm weather, to prevent tragedies.
