PALATKA, Fla. – A 21-year-old Palatka man was arrested Thursday after deputies found his dog dead from dehydration while being left out in the sun, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said.
Landon Blaine Waldock was charged with one felony charge of animal cruelty after deputies found his 3-year-old dog dead in a small cage in direct sunlight at a home on Karen Drive.
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Deputies said the dog had no shade or water when they arrived to the home at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Waldock, who was out of the county at the time, told deputies over the phone he hadn't check the dog before he left, but had given the dog water and food "a day or so ago."
A veterinarian who came to the home to assist determined the dog's death was due to dehydration from the heat and lack of water, deputies said.
When Waldock returned home, deputies arrested him and took him to the Putnam County Jail. He has since been released on a $2,500 bond, deputies said.
“Cruelty to animals in this case was particularly egregious because this poor dog was forced to suffer a slow, painful death by withholding water and food during extremely high temperatures," Putnam County Sheriff Gator DeLoach said. "We have a responsibility to ensure those who abuse animals are held accountable. They have no voice and depend on us to keep them safe."