On Thursday, June 21, 2017 Manor Texas Municipal Court ruled that Annabelle, an young puppy that was rescued from extreme heat in a locked car last weekend will be returned to its owner upon payment of fees to the Austin Animal Center where she was taken for treatment and held on police lock pending outcome of the case. 

Annabelle’s owner, 20-year-old Chandler Allen Bullen of Manor, Texas, was charged with Cruelty to a Non-livestock Animal, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Bullen admitted to going shopping for 30 minutes and leaving Annabelle in the hot car because he "did not want to waste gas." Bullen will appear in court to answer to those charges next month. He has been ordered to appear with Annabelle and show proof that he has provided her with veterinary care.

It was 99 degrees outside with a heat index value of 109 at the time, according to data from the National Weather Service. Police reached through a partially opened sun roof and unlocked the car with a tire iron, an arrest affidavit said. When they retrieved the puppy, they found her infested with fleas and with several lesions, according to police.

We respectfully ask the court to reconsider this decision and not allow Annabelle to return to such horrible circumstances, but let her remain in the care of the Austin Animal Center until the Court reaches a verdict in the animal cruelty case.