Phoenixville woman charged after leaving dog in hot car

TREDYFFRIN >> A Phoenixville woman was charged with animal neglect after she left her dog inside of her vehicle for more than a halfhour with the outdoor temperature in excess of 90 degrees, police said.

Charged was Naomi Roopchand, 28.

Police were dispatched to the Target store parking lot in Strafford after a caller said they say a dog left inside a vehicle with windows only cracked open just a bit on Thursday, June 27.

Multiple witnesses verified that the vehicle was not running, only having windows cracked on a day where temperatures were in excess of 90 degrees.

Attempts to locate the owner inside the store were unsuccessful before police were called.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the store’s asset protection leader to obtain video surveillance of the parking lot.

The video showed that the dog’s owner was in the store for 31 minutes, according to police.

Roopchand was located, and charged with neglect of animals.

Under Pennsylvania code, neglect of animals includes failure of provide food and water to an animal, failure to provide clean and sanitary shelter and protection from weather, and failure to provide necessary veterinary care to an animal.

Penalties for animal neglect in Pennsylvania range from fines to felony charges, depending on the extent of the risk or resulting injuries.

Pennsylvania law allows rescue workers law enforcement officers and animal control officers to use force if needed to remove an endangered dog or cat from a locked car, without being legally responsible for any damage to the vehicle.