A French bulldog puppy has died and six others suffered heat stroke after being left in a hot car while a breeder went to Starbucks.
Whitney Tierra Johnson, 36, was charged with seven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after passersby reported seeing the small dogs trapped inside her vehicle.
The Medford, New Jersey, breeder stopped in Apex, North Carolina, for lunch at First Watch and coffee, leaving the puppies in the car.
The seven were crammed into a small kiddie pool under one of the seats with a cover over it, with the car turned off and the windows rolled up, police said.
A French bulldog puppy died and six others suffered heat stroke after they were left in a hot car while a breeder went to Starbucks
Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong said witnesses said the puppies were left inside the car for 35 to 40 minutes.
“Three of the puppies appeared to be in distress and had some respiratory problems,” he said.
“They were placed in an oxygen chamber to receive treatment. One of the puppies did not respond to the treatment.”
The puppy that didn’t wake up was euthanized by the Wake County Animal Shelter.
Johnson runs Whitney’s French Bulldogs and is certified as a “good breeder” by the Good Dog Responsible Breeding Program.
“Our adorable puppies are raised at home. We take great care in socializing them so they can easily adapt to their new lives,” reads their Good Dogs profile.
“We have developed several protocols to ensure the health and well-being of all of our dogs. Our top priority is to ensure that each of our puppy families welcomes a happy and healthy new member into their home.”
Whitney Tierra Johnson, 36, was charged with seven counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty after passersby claimed to have seen the small dogs trapped inside
Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong said witnesses said the puppies were left inside the car for 35 to 40 minutes.
Johnson questioned the series of events and the conditions in which her puppies were kept after they were left alone.
She claimed passersby confronted her after she returned to the car and took the puppies out to clean them up after they relieved themselves in the car.
They asked him if he needed help and when he said no, they called the police, he said.
“I am not an animal abuser. I have no malicious intent to harm any animal. I have 12 dogs. I take very good care of my animals,” she said. CBS 17.
‘The car was on, the windows were down, and the puppies were in the back seat. They were lying outside their carrier face down on a towel. There was a fan on the floor because I have a power outlet in my car.’
“There was a fan circulating the hot and cold air because I can’t leave them in the car with the air conditioning on. They have to be at a certain temperature (89°F) because they are still puppies.”
The seven were crammed into a small kiddie pool under one of the seats with a cover over it, with the car turned off and the windows rolled up, police said.
Johnson also said there was no point in putting the puppies at risk since each one was worth up to $7,500.
“I don’t know why anyone would think I would throw my investment away,” he said.
“I wouldn’t lock my child in a hot car, why would I do that to my puppies? They’re my babies. We would never do that. We love our animals.”
Armstrong said he heard Johnson’s version of events, but accounts from multiple witnesses painted a different picture.
“Their actions at the time gave the impression that the dogs were in danger,” he said.
‘(Police officers) had an extensive conversation with the dogs’ owner and witnesses at the scene.’
Johnson said police body camera footage would exonerate her. She is due to appear in court on August 1.
