APEX, N.C. (WNCN) — Police in North Carolina found seven puppies in a hot car Saturday, leading to one of them being euthanized.
The dogs’ owner, 36-year-old Whitney Johnson of New Jersey, is charged with seven counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
According to the Apex Police Department in Wake County, the seven six-week-old French bulldogs were left in the backseat of Johnson’s car in near 100-degree temperatures while she went to eat at First Watch restaurant and Starbucks.
“We learned from witnesses that the puppies had been left inside of the vehicle for 30 to 45 minutes,” Police Chief Jason Armstrong said. “There were seven puppies inside almost like a kiddy pool [and] a cover that had been put on top.”
Those at the restaurant, including First Watch employees, called the police. The officers who responded found the car not running, with the windows rolled up and no air conditioning.
“Three of the puppies appeared to be in distress and had some respiratory challenges,” Armstrong said. “[They] were put in an oxygen chamber to get treatment. One of the puppies did not respond to the treatment.”
Officials said the unresponsive puppy was put down by the Wake County Animal Shelter.
On Monday, Johnson spoke with NewsNation affiliate WNCN by phone. She said she’s a breeder and would never do anything to harm her puppies. Johnson also provided photos of the setup she had for the dogs in her car.
“The car was on, the windows were down, and puppies were in the backseat,” Johnson said. “They were laying out of their container onto their feet on a towel. There was a fan on the floor because I have an outlet in my car.”
“There was a fan circulating the cold and the hot in the air because I can’t leave them in the car with the air on,” she continued. “They have to be a certain temperature because they are still young puppies.”
Johnson told WNCN that people approached them outside the restaurant voicing some concerns about the puppies as she took them out of the car to clean them up after they relieved themselves inside the vehicle. She said when she told them she didn’t need help, they called the police.
“I am not an animal abuser,” she said. “I have no malicious intent to harm any animal. I have 12 dogs. I take very good care of my animals.”
In response to Johnson’s account, Armstrong said, “I have heard that claim and the actions that … multiple witnesses saw paint a different picture for us. Their actions at that time gave the impression that the dogs were in distress.”
Johnson told WNCN that she keeps trying to get status updates about the rest of the litter and wants to bring them home.
The dogs are currently at the Wake County Animal Shelter pending the investigation.
Officials are reminding everyone that in extreme temperatures, pets and children should not be left inside cars.
