Man allegedly left puppies in hot car

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Brownsville police arrested a man who they say left two puppies inside a hot vehicle.

Jose Alberto Rivas, 36, was charged with two counts of cruelty to a non-livestock animal, a class A misdemeanor, according to a news release from the Brownsville Police Department.

At approximately 2:06 p.m., Saturday, May 17, authorities responded to the area of E. Saint Francis Sam Perl Boulevard regarding two puppies left inside a vehicle.

^{Jose Alberto Rivas (Source: Brownsville Police Department)}

At the scene, authorities found the puppies visibly distressed and panting heavily, showing clear signs of heat exhaustion, the release added.

The responding officers entered the vehicle and quickly removed the puppies, providing them with water, and placed them inside their patrol units to allow them to cool down.

The Brownsville Animal Services, also known as BTX BARCC, was called to the scene and took custody of the pups for further care and evaluation.

Rivas was arraigned on Sunday, May 18, and was issued a $6,000 bond. He was also cited by Animal Services.

Brownsville police want to remind the public of the importance of Brownsville City Ordinance Sec. 10-1066: Safety of Animals in Motor Vehicles, which states:

• (b) No person shall leave any animal in any standing or parked vehicle in such a way as to intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence endanger the animal’s health or safety.