FLORIDA CITY, Fla. – A man from Tennessee was arrested over the weekend after police say he left three dogs in a sweltering car outside of a Florida City motel parking lot.
According to an arrest report from the Florida City Police Department, officers responded to a vehicle left unattended inside a parking lot with three dogs inside at the Budget Host Inn Motel, located at 815 N. Krome Ave.
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Police said upon arrival, they spoke with hotel staff who informed them that a van had been parked since 4:13 a.m. Saturday with three dogs inside, with no food or water in the hot weather.
Witnesses expressed concern about the dogs’ well-being, noting they were left in the hot sun without any provisions, according to investigators.
Police said after taking a look inside the back of the vehicle, they found three dogs inside a crate full of feces and urine, with visible marks on their skin, possibly bite marks.
Miami-Dade Animal Control was contacted and responded to the scene.
Authorities said they removed the dogs and transported them to the Miami-Dade County Animal Control shelter, taking pictures of the scene.
At around 2 p.m. police said Edward Xavier Ellington, 43, of La Vergne, was located in Room 119 of the Budget Host Inn and was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Jail records show Ellington is facing three counts of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill.
As of Monday, he is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was set at $7,500.