As many as 3 dogs found dead in car in downtown San Antonio parking lot, officials say

SAN ANTONIO — As many as three dogs were found dead inside a car in a downtown public parking lot, San Antonio officials say.

San Antonio Animal Care Services and the San Antonio Police Department were called to the 100 block of West Nueva for a strong odor coming from a car in the parking lot.

Once on scene, officers found “heavily decomposed animal remains” inside the car. Officials say “up to three deceased” dogs were found.

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The number and identities of the animals and their cause of death is yet to be determined pending a veterinary examination and a necropsy. Preliminary evidence suggests that the dogs likely died from heat exposure, however this has not been confirmed yet.

ACS and SAPD are reviewing more evidence in the car and are working to identify the person or people responsible.

“City ordinance prohibits leaving an animal in a standing or parked vehicle in any manner that endangers the animal’s health or safety,” ACS said in a news release. “Enhanced charges under the state animal-cruelty law are under review.”