ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County Animal Services will keep custody of a small dog that was found last month inside a hot car in the parking lot of SeaWorld Orlando.
Witnesses called the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on July 3 when they discovered the 5-year-old Yorkshire Terrier-mix inside a white car that had the windows “cracked” and covered with towels.
The deputy’s report indicated there was no food or water available for the dog.
The license plates were registered to a rental car company in New York, and no one returned to the car within the three hours deputies were on the scene, according to court records.
Orange County Animal Services took the dog to SeaWorld’s Pet Care Center, where park guests are allowed to bring their animals while they visit the park for a $15 fee.
Investigators then took the dog to an emergency veterinarian, where it was examined for possible heat stroke, leaving a Notice of Cruelty Investigation notice on the vehicle in the parking lot.
According to court records, the dog belonged to Briana Meshelle Moore, of Katy, Texas.
Moore was summoned to appear at a virtual court hearing on Monday afternoon, where OCAS was seeking permanent custody of the dog, which is recovering and is in good condition.
News 6 attended the hearing, and Moore did not show up.
Judge Eric DuBois granted custody to OCAS, and he also ordered Moore to pay more than $1,872 in court costs and costs incurred by OCAS.