Woman Charged After Puppies Left In Hot Car In Rock Hill

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A woman was charged with ill treatment of animals after police say she left two puppies inside her vehicle while she got her hair done.

Officers were called to a business on Cherry Road in reference to puppies being left inside a vehicle.  An officer found the two puppies in the front seat of a black Nissan Altima.  The officer said the windows were slightly cracked and the vehicle was not running.  The temperature outside at the time was approximately 94 degrees, according to a news release.

The officer was able to reach through the rear passenger side window and open the door, gaining access to the interior of the car.

The puppies were immediately placed inside the officer’s patrol vehicle.  The officer said the puppies were warm to the touch and were panting heavily so the officer placed them both in her food cooler.  Once the puppies were secured, the officer went to the nearby businesses to track down the owner of the vehicle.

A short time later, the officer identified the owner of the vehicle as Latoya Reid.  Police say Reid was getting her hair done inside a hair braiding business.  Reid claims she was only inside the business for 10-15 mins and was waiting for someone to come and buy the puppies from her.  An employee at another business in the same complex said the vehicle had been parked for awhile, according to a news release.

Reid was taken into custody and charged with ill treatment to animals and possession of marijuana after the arresting officer found 1.4 grams of marijuana inside Reid’s purse.

Animal Control took custody of the puppies.