Oregon Woman Arrested for Leaving Dog Inside Hot Car

A Marion County Sheriff's Deputy took the dog to his patrol car, turned up the air conditioning, and gave the dog some much needed water.

A Beaverton woman was cited and released after leaving her dog locked in a vehicle while she went hiking at Silver Creek Falls State Park, east of Salem. Photo Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(SILVERTON, Ore. ) - A Beaverton woman was arrested, cited, and released after leaving her dog locked in a vehicle while she went hiking at Silver Creek Falls State Park, east of Salem.

On Sunday, Marion County Sheriff's Deputies were called out to the park, and found the dog in the vehicle unresponsive and panting due to the 90 degree heat outside. Quick action by deputy Corey Larned after he attempted to locate the owner but had no luck, he was able to unlock the doors via a slightly cracked window, Marion County Sheriff's spokesman Sergeant Chris Baldridge said.

Deputy Larned took the dog to his patrol car, turned up the air conditioning, and gave the dog some much needed water. Larned said within a few minutes the dog was back on his feet.

Deputy Larned was able to locate the owner who told him she had gone hiking and left the dog inside of the vehicle after allowing it to go to the bathroom.

Baldridge estimated that the dog had been in the vehicle over two hours, parked in the direct sunlight, in 90 degree heat.

22-year-old Victoria Nguyen, of Beaverton, was cited and released for Animal Neglect II, a B misdemeanor. The dog was returned to Nguyen's custody.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, Cracking the windows doesn't cut it. Your car can become a death trap even on a mild sunny day -- and can insidiously raise the car's temperature to well above 120 degrees.

Never leave your pet inside the car. If Fido can't come with you when you get out of the car, leave him or her at home.