Current:Home > News2 Indiana men charged in heat deaths of 9 dogs in an uncooled truck -Ascend Finance Compass
2 Indiana men charged in heat deaths of 9 dogs in an uncooled truck
View
Date:2025-04-18 13:56:14
CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — Two Indiana men have been charged in the deaths of nine dogs that succumbed to heat-related illnesses last year after being transported in the back of an uncooled box truck during hot weather.
Michael McHenry, 55, and Jessee Urbaszewski, 44, were both charged Monday with 18 misdemeanor counts of neglect of a vertebrate animal. Each charge carries the possibility of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, said Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter.
The Michigan City, Indiana, men surrendered Tuesday night at the Lake County Jail and were released after posting cash bond, said Sgt. Glen Fifield of Indiana State Police. He said McHenry posted $36,000 cash bond and Urbaszewski posted a $18,000.
Online court records do not list an attorney for either McHenry or Urbaszewski. Hearings had yet to be scheduled for either man as of Wednesday, according to the court records.
Investigators said 18 dogs were being transported in a box truck on the afternoon of July 27, 2023, for a roughly 120-mile (192-kilometer) trip from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Berrien Center in southwestern Michigan.
When the truck’s driver, Urbaszewski, stopped at a gas station in Lake Station, Indiana, about 55 miles (89 kilometers) southeast of O’Hare, he discovered that the dogs were in heat-related distress. Temperatures in the area that day reached around 90 degrees (32.2 Celsius).
Despite the best efforts of first responders and good Samaritans, three dogs died at the scene and six others were later euthanized due to their condition.
Fifield said Tuesday at a news conference that the truck’s cargo area was equipped “with a substandard cooling system” to transport the dogs.
The dogs were being transported by Michigan-based business FM K9 to its facility in Berrien Centerto for training to become police dogs. Of the 18 dogs in the box truck, 10 were German Shepherds, six were Belgian Malinois and two were Dutch Shepherds, WGN-TV reported.
Investigators said McHenry is FM K9’s owner and lead trainer.
Jennifer Webber, the executive director of the Humane Society of Hobart, responded to the scene last July and said the dogs displayed signs of heatstroke: salivating heavily, wobbling, vomiting and convulsing.
She told The Times of Northwest Indiana on Tuesday that she’s “thrilled” by the investigative work that led to charges in the case.
“Our professional opinion that night is vindicated,” Webber said. “We saw that there was neglect.”
veryGood! (2634)
Related
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Store owner shot to death right in front of her shop after dispute over LGBTQ+ pride flag, authorities say
- 3 dead, 6 wounded in Seattle hookah lounge shooting; no word on suspects
- Georgia sheriff pleads guilty to groping TV Judge Hatchett
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- FDA approves RSV vaccine for moms-to-be to guard their newborns
- FDA approves RSV vaccine for moms-to-be to guard their newborns
- FDA approves RSV vaccine for moms-to-be to guard their newborns
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Free Disney World passes is latest front in war between Disney and DeSantis appointees
Ranking
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Three years after a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, the final trial is set to begin
- Europe’s sweeping rules for tech giants are about to kick in. Here’s how they work
- Feds charge former oil trader in international bribery scheme involving Mexican officials
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Here's how wildfire burn scars could intensify flooding as Tropical Storm Hilary hits California
- Sha’Carri Richardson caps comeback by winning 100-meter title at worlds
- FDA approves RSV vaccine for moms-to-be to guard their newborns
Recommendation
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
King Charles III carries on legacy of mother Queen Elizabeth II with Balmoral Castle ceremony
‘T. rexes’ race to photo finish at Washington state track
2 Israelis killed at West Bank car wash as Israeli-Palestinian violence surges
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Texas moves large floating barrier on US-Mexico border closer to American soil
Rihanna Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 2 With A$AP Rocky
The Golden Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise Premiere Dates Revealed