OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (AP) — Authorities have accused a man of stealing a car with a disabled dog inside and leaving the pet in the station wagon to die in the Florida heat.
Wilton Manors Police on Wednesday arrested 19-year-old Jephthe Jean Francois on 15 charges including grand theft auto and animal cruelty.
Last week, Wanda Ferrari left the air conditioning running in her car for her 13-year-old husky mix Zorra while she went into a Dollar Tree store.
Zorra used a pink wheelchair to walk because its back legs were paralyzed.
Investigators told news outlets Francois stole the car. An animal rescue group offered a $3,000 reward for Zorra’s return. But the station wagon was found five days later with Zorra’s body inside.
Francois appeared before a judge Thursday and was ordered no bond.
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