Four dogs die locked in hot car while owner got ‘plastered’ in Vegas
Las Vegas at sunset (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Michael Winkler, 65, was arrested in Las Vegas on June 12 on four felony counts of willful or malicious torture, maiming, or killing of an animal.
The arrest stems from an incident on May 14 where four dogs named Snickers, Oakley, Ben, and Angel died in his locked car from heat stroke or suffocation.
Winkler's family reported that he was heavily intoxicated and forgot to let the dogs out of the vehicle, with his granddaughter discovering the deceased animals.
Police noted that six dogs have died while in Winkler's care over the past four years, and his family had previously attempted to prevent him from owning more animals.
Winkler was released one day after his arrest and is scheduled to appear in court on July 14.