Dead dog found in hot car at Walmart in Middle Georgia

A man has faced multiple charges after Georgia state officials said they found a dead dog in a hot car.

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Early Tuesday afternoon, Bibb County officials assisted Bibb County Animal Control in the arrest of Ronald Thomas Stokes.

Authorities said a warrant was out for Stokes’ arrest after a dead dog was found in his overheated car outside the Walmart on Harrison Road.

Authorities did not provide any information about the exact time of the incident or the temperature in the vehicle.

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Stokes was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals. He had additional warrants out of Bibb County for driving under the influence, driving under the influence – endangering traffic safety, open container of alcohol and reckless driving.

He was taken to the Bibb County Jail.

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Officials remind citizens to never leave a child or pet in a car.

“Senseless deaths can be prevented by developing a strategy where you check every time you leave your vehicle. Make it part of your routine to park your car, look inside the car to make sure your child or pet has not been left behind, and then lock the car (#ParkLookLock). Never intentionally leave a child or pet unattended in a car, even with the window open. In a hot car, they can overheat in a matter of minutes,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.

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