Cheektowaga, NY (WNY News Now) – A 38-year-old resident of Buffalo has been declared guilty of confining her companion animal in a parked vehicle during extreme temperatures, a violation under New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law.
Shermika A. Walker, 38, of Buffalo was found guilty of one count of Confinement of Companion Animals in Vehicles.
The incident in question occurred on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, when officers from Cheektowaga Police and Cheektowaga Animal Control responded to a distress call regarding a dog trapped inside a parked vehicle. Upon their arrival, officers were met with the sight of the dog seizing and vomiting due to the excessive heat within the vehicle.
The canine in question, an 8-year-old male Boston Terrier mix, was rescued from the vehicle and transported to an emergency veterinary clinic for urgent treatment of severe heatstroke. While temporarily under the care of the SPCA Serving Erie County, the dog was eventually returned to Walker.
The decision came after a two-hour non-jury trial. The sentencing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Walker now faces the possibility of a maximum term of 15 days in jail.
Leave a Reply