A Mississippi couple was arrested on Sunday after police say they locked a puppy in the trunk of their sweltering hot car while they shopped at a Florida mall.
Maurice Sanders and Keshanna Thompson, both 30-years-old, are each charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
A witness on Sunday afternoon phoned police and said he saw Sanders lock the dog away before walking into Dillard's.
Officers reported hearing the puppy panting in the trunk. They broke a window and accessed the trunk through the car's back seat. Police say it was extremely hot, and there was no water for the dog.
Sanders later told officers he put the dog in the trunk because he didn't want it to make a mess in the car.
The dog was turned over to animal control.