Crated dog dies after being left outside of Tampa apartment in ‘extreme heat’; owner arrested

Deputies say the owner, Harvey Leroy Jones, 44, admitted to leaving his dog outside because it was causing “problems inside the home.”

TAMPA, Fla. — A dog died after being left outside in “extreme heat” by its owner, deputies say.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to an apartment on Palm Crossing Drive after a concerned citizen reported that a Cane Corso was left in a crate outside for several hours without food or water in near 100-degree temperatures. 

Deputies say the dog was extremely lethargic and suffering from heat-related distress when they arrived. The dog was transported for emergency care but later died. 

During the investigation, the owner, Harvey Leroy Jones, 44, admitted to leaving his dog outside because it was causing “problems inside the home.” He is now charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, officials say.

“This tragic case is a powerful reminder that extreme heat can kill pets in a matter of hours,” HCSO wrote in a statement. “Never leave animals outside without adequate shade, fresh water, and supervision during hot weather, as doing so can have fatal consequences.”