LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas man has been arrested on a felony animal cruelty charge after his 10-year-old Siberian Husky died inside a hot car during triple-digit summer temperatures.
According to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrest report, Eric Lee Ward, 30, placed his dog, Lana, in the back of his Audi SUV on the morning of July 30 with plans to go to the park. After stopping for food, Ward called a woman, identified in the report as his “sugar momma,” and an argument erupted as she attempted to cancel dinner plans with him.
The report states Ward began having an anxiety attack, drove home around 11 a.m., and went inside, leaving Lana in the vehicle.
Police say Ward spent the next several hours eating, relaxing, and continuing the phone dispute. When a friend later asked about Lana, Ward claimed the dog was with a neighbor.
Ward didn’t return to the car until roughly 2:20 p.m., which was over three hours later, while searching for his misplaced wallet. He found Lana already dead and stiff in the backseat, the report states. Outside temperatures reached 111°F that afternoon, which was also outlined in the report.
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Ward rushed Lana to an animal hospital near Torrey Pines and Warm Springs, where veterinary staff reported the death to animal protection officials. A necropsy later confirmed the dog died of severe heatstroke and organ failure.
In the summary of the report, police note that “The death of this dog was completely preventable and cruel” and that “Eric never took ‘Lana’ to the park, her last ride was to her death.”
Ward was arrested by detectives on Tuesday, September 8 and booked into jail on one count of willful animal torture or killing resulting in death, with bail set at $5,000.
He appeared in court on Wednesday, where he was released after posting bail.
Ward is due back in court on October 6.
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