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Dog dies of heat stroke

Bond set at $50,000 for man accused of letting animal die

NILES — A man turned himself in Monday on a felony animal cruelty charge after a dog was found dead of heat stroke in his yard, according to Niles police.

A not guilty plea was entered for Johnnie B. Murry, 37, 818 Clay St., in Niles Municipal Court. Judge Chris Shaker set Murry’s bond at $50,000, according to the court.

The dog was found dead Friday, left without access to water or shelter, according to police. The high temperature Friday was 88 degrees. Tests by a local veterinary hospital confirmed the dog passed away from heat stroke, according to police.

In a post on the department’s Facebook page that called the dog’s death “gruesome,” the department asked people not to leave pets out too long in the heat.

“Folks please do not leave your pets outside for extended periods of time in the heat, especially without shelter from the sun and an adequate water supply. Also, do not leave your pets inside of an unattended car without air conditioning. Even with the windows cracked, the interior of a vehicle can reach temperatures over 120 degrees,” the post states.

Murry was charged under the animal-cruelty law that went into effect in late 2016 that allows someone to be charged with a felony connected to animal cruelty against companion animals like dogs and cats. It is sometimes known as Goddard’s Law.

The animal has to suffer “serious physical harm,” which includes death from depriving the animal of food and water or failing to protect them from severe weather elements, for the law to apply.

rfox@tribtoday.com

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