MANOR, Texas — A woman has been arrested after an animal cruelty case in Manor that left one dog dead.
Nine dogs were left outside in cages in the summer heat without substantial food or water, according to the Manor Police Department and Manor Animal Control.
Two of the animals were allegedly left in animal sweaters, commonly used to protect animals from cold weather.
The weather in Manor at the time, according to the National Weather Service, was 104 degrees with a heat index of 108 degrees. The area was under an Excessive Heat Warning.
"These poor little fur babies were having to endure, you know, the worst of Texas heat and their living conditions," Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps said.
Phipps said the department got a call from a passerby Tuesday afternoon who was concerned about the dogs they saw. Animal Control stopped by the home on North Bastrop Street.
"When he arrived, he witnessed, you know, the situation and asked that the officers be involved because he knew that would be criminal offenses," Phipps said.
Phipps said police arrested Eyeisha Young and charged her with cruelty to non-livestock animal, a Class A misdemeanor. She was taken to the Travis County Jail, but Phipps said she has since bonded out.
"I don't think that she completely understood her responsibility as a pet owner, but now, facing criminal charges, you know, hopefully she'll understand better," Phipps said.
Luis Sanchez with Austin Pets Alive! said leaving dogs outside in the dangerous heat can also lead to issues for the greater community.
"Most of these pets, they're not going to be spayed or neutered, so it's gonna lead to a higher stray problem ... You're going to see more and more animals having to survive in the heat, and you're going to see more and more animals dying from the heat," Sanchez said.
The animals have been moved, and a judge will decide whether they can be adopted or returned to the property owner.
"We want people to be aware that there [are] responsibilities in pet ownership, especially in harsh conditions," Phipps said.
The Giddings Animal Center has agreed to house the dogs, pending a hearing with the judge.