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Police: Dog euthanized after owner leaves it in hot car

A St. Charles man was charged with cruelty to animals after a dog he left inside a hot car had to be euthanized, police said Tuesday.

Jaime Reyes-Velasco, 28, of the 100 block of North 15th Street, was arrested after Elgin police responded to a call at about 4 p.m. Monday on the 300 block of South McLean Boulevard for a report of a dog inside a parked vehicle, Cmdr. Ana Lalley said in a news release.

Officers found Reyes-Velasco and had him open the vehicle, where a second dog was lying motionless on the floor, police said.

Animal control officers determined both dogs had signs of heatstroke, applied cooling measures and transported the dogs to Golf Rose Animal Hospital in Schaumburg.

One of the dogs had to be euthanized, while the other dog remains at the hospital, police said.

Reyes-Velasco was charged with two counts each of cruelty to animals, violation of owner's duties and confining an animal in a motor vehicle. He was released on bond and is due in court Aug. 14.

Elgin police said animals can suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. If you see a pet left in an unattended parked vehicle, call police or 911 in case of emergency.

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