Dog Rescued from Hot Car, Woman Arrested

LONGVIEW — An East Texas woman was booked into jail and her dog is recovering after police had to break the pet out of a hot car. KETK reports that Longview police were called Sunday to an animal report in a parking lot on North 4th Street near Hawkins Parkway. When officers made it to the scene, they were told a dog was inside a vehicle and the animal was in distress. Officers determined the dog had been left in the car by a woman for about an hour. Officers tried to locate the owner but were unable to find her. Police stated the dog began experiencing health problems related to heat inside the vehicle and Longview Animal Control was called to assist. One of the officers broke the window out of the vehicle and rescued the pet.

The person allegedly responsible for leaving the dog in the vehicle was identified as Brandi Lea Matthews, 40, of Big Sandy, according to police. She was charged with cruelty to animals and booked into the Gregg County Jail. She was released the same day. A veterinary staff at an emergency clinic said the dog is expected to make a full recovery.