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Article Archive > Man arrested after leaving dog in car Man arrested after leaving dog in car OCEANPORT - A Philadelphia man was arrested on animal cruelty charges on Sunday after leaving his dog unattended in a car as temperatures crept into the 90s. Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief humane law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA) in Eatontown, said Marlon Q. Gravesande, 36, of Philadelphia, was arrested at 2:35 p.m. by Monmouth County SPCA Sgt. Matthew Giuliano. "At noon yesterday, the Oceanport police received a call regarding a dog locked in a crate in a car," Amato said in an interview on May 3. According to Amato, when Giuliano and Oceanport police arrived on the scene, they found the dog was trapped in a crate with no means of finding relief from the oppressive heat in the vehicle. "The arriving officer arrived to find 8- week-old Storm, a dogo Argentino, with no air to breathe or water," Amato said. "Yesterday was over 90 degrees, and it was 113 degrees inside the vehicle." Amato explained that the dogo Argentino is a rare breed that grows to be 100 pounds. At 8 weeks old, Storm weighs approximately 45 pounds, Amato said. Guiliano raced Storm to the Red Bank Animal Hospital, where his core temperature was found to be elevated and he was treated for severe dehydration, Amato said. "It was ascertained that the dog was left at 11:15 a.m. He was removed at 12:30 p.m," said Amato. According to Amato, Gravesande said he wouldn't have returned to the car for another two hours. "The dog would've been left in 113 degree heat for three hours. The dog would've died. No doubt about it," Amato said. "The crate acted like an oven, and the dog couldn't move to get in the shade. Dogs, especially larger breeds, become lethargic and then go into shock." Gravesande was arrested at 2:35 p.m. by Oceanport police and the Monmouth County SPCA. He was transferred and processed in Oceanport, Amato said. Storm was picked up by Amato from the animal hospital on Monday and was taken to the Monmouth County SPCA shelter, where he is "doing well" and ready for adoption. "He's a very expensive and unique breed," Amato said. Anyone interested in adopting Storm should contact the Monmouth County SPCA by calling 732-542-0040. Oceanport Judge Richard B. Thompson set bail at $2,500. Amato said Gravesande is facing more than $1,000 in fines and must pay Storm's veterinarian bill. A June court date is set in Oceanport. |