1 charged after dog left in van dies, police say

The owner of a Wheeling pet care business was charged after a client’s dog was left in a van and died, police said Friday.

Ross Niehaus, 44, of the 2500 block of North Halsted Street in Chicago, is charged with misdemeanor cruel treatment of animals.

The dog died Wednesday after being picked up by a vehicle from Waggles Pet Resort, 419 Harvester Court, police said.

He was a 6-year-old black Labrador retriever named Miller, and he belonged to Steve Serota and his family, according to ABC 7.

Miller was picked up at the Serota house about 9 a.m., according to Wheeling police, and Serota was notified about 4 p.m. about the death.

Outdoor temperatures reached the mid-90s in the Chicago area Wednesday.

Niehaus was charged Thursday, processed and released. He is scheduled to appear in the Rolling Meadows branch of Cook County circuit court Sept. 25.

Waggles was open Friday. Reached at the business, Niehaus declined to answer questions.

Wheeling Deputy Police Chief Michael Conway called the case “a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly extreme heat can become deadly for animals.”

“Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rise significantly within minutes, even on a mild day, and even with windows cracked,” Conway said.

Conway said people should never leave animals unattended in vehicles and should check on animals in their care frequently, especially during warm weather.

In addition to the police investigation, village officials are exploring whether Waggles broke any local building or business codes, Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said.

rlissau@dailyherald.com