Tennessee Man Charged for Leaving Dogs in Freezing Car

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A 54-year-old Tennessee man was arrested in Pierre, South Dakota after witnesses reported seeing two dogs locked inside his parked car during dangerously cold temperatures of 2 degrees below zero. The man refused to properly care for or surrender the dogs, leading to charges of Neglect and Abandonment of an Animal. The dogs were rescued and taken to a local animal shelter to recover and await a new home.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of community members speaking up when they witness potential animal abuse or neglect, as their actions can make the difference in saving vulnerable creatures from harm, especially in extreme winter conditions.

The details

According to reports, people at Northridge Plaza in Pierre spotted the two dogs trapped inside the parked car around 6:06 AM on January 31st. When police arrived, they found the temperature outside was 2 degrees below zero, putting the dogs at serious risk. The owner, Derek Englund, refused to properly care for the animals or surrender them, leading to his arrest.

• On January 31st, witnesses spotted the dogs in the car around 6:06 AM.
• The temperature outside was reported to be 2 degrees below zero at the time.

What’s next

The dogs are currently being cared for at the local animal shelter in Pierre, where they will await placement in a new, more suitable home.