A Bridgewater mother and daughter are facing criminal charges after their two dogs died when they were allegedly left in a hot vehicle this summer, prosecutors said.
Lisa Smith, 59, and Rachel Smith, 33, were arraigned on animal cruelty charges in Brockton District Court on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Plymouth district attorney’s office. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Bridgewater police responded to a building on Heather Lane on July 16 and found two dead dogs at the scene, prosecutors said. Investigators later determined they had died after being left in a vehicle with no open windows or air conditioning for over 90 minutes.
Prosecutors said Lisa Smith had placed the dogs in the vehicle after they had been “causing a ruckus,” leaving the home with her daughter to run errands. They allegedly discovered the deceased dogs hours later, but did not contact law enforcement.
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Investigators taking temperature readings on the scene determined the vehicle had reached temperatures of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
The defendants were released on personal recognizance, on the condition that they not own, possess, or have unsupervised contact with any animals, and undergo mental health evaluations. They are expected to return to court on Dec. 4.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at camilo.fonseca@globe.com. Follow him on X @fonseca_esq and on Instagram @camilo_fonseca.reports.