Dog Dies in Heat in Urbandale: Was It Animal Neglect?

Urbandale police are investigating whether the death of a German shepherd left outdoors in the heat last week is a case on animal neglect.

Police arrived last Friday at a home in the 3100 block of 67th Street after someone called concerned about the welfare of a dog there. They found the dog dead in an outdoor kennel, said Lt. Rob Johansen.

He said there was no water in the kennel at the time they found the animal.

Officers spoke to a 17-year-old boy who was home at the time. He lives with his 38-year-old mother, who was not there.

An autopsy will be conducted on the animal to determine its cause of death.  The high temperature in Des Moines was 93 degrees that day, according to the National Weather Service.