Pet Owner Arrested for Cruelty Charge

August 1, 2007

Los Angeles: A man was arrested for leaving his dog in the parked car, resulted in its death.

On July 31, 2007, at around 1:00 PM, concerned passerbys witnessed a Labrador Retriever left in a parked car in the 6800 block of Owensmouth Avenue in the San Fernando Valley. The dog appeared to be in distress due to heat exhaustion. One witness called 911, while another got the dog out of the car through an unlocked rear door. Unfortunately, despite their rescue saving efforts the dog went into convulsions, and died.

Los Angeles Police Officers from West Valley Division responded and conducted an investigation. The officers were able to locate the owner of the dog, Bennett Goldberg, 55, and arrested him for 597(b) of the California Penal Code, Animal Neglect.

The City of Los Angeles’ Animal Cruelty Task Force is currently investigating the crime and is pursuing felony charges of Animal Neglect, which is punishable by up to three years in prison, against Goldberg. He is being held on a $20,000 bail.

The Animal Cruelty Task Force would like to remind pet owners that during hot days the temperatures inside a vehicle can reach over 120 degrees, even with the windows left slightly open.

Reports of animal cruelty can be reported to the Animal Cruelty Task Force at 213-847-1417. On weekends or during off-hours call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).