Dog Locked In Van Suffered Heat Exhaustion: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A dog left in a van parked on East Marion Street suffered heat exhaustion, police said.

An officer found the dog locked in the Chrysler Town & Country parked on Marion near York Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday, police said.

The dog was in visible distress, police said, and the van’s owner could not be located.

The van was locked, police said, but the officer was able to open it and get the dog out.

A Joliet Township Animal Control officer also responded and took custody of the black and tan female. It was treated for heat exhaustion at the animal control office on McDonough Street, police said.

The dog’s owner, 19-year-old Ryan Gales of Mendota, showed up later to get the dog from animal control. Gales was issued a ticket charging him with animal cruelty. The ticket carries a $300 fine.

Ryan Gales | image via Will County Sheriff's Department