Urbandale German Shepherd Died From Heat; Who's Responsible?

An autopsy has shown that a German shepherd that died June 29 in its outdoor kennel in Urbandale died of heat-related causes.

Randy Peterson, Urbandale police information officer, said Monday that police are awaiting a decision by the Polk County Attorney's office on who should be charged and what the charges should be.

Police arrived June 29 at a home in the 3100 block of 67th Street after someone called concerned about the welfare of a dog there. They found the animal dead in an outdoor kennel, said Lt. Rob Johansen.

He said there was no water in the kennel when officers found the dog. 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.

The high temperature in Des Moines was 93 degrees that day, according to the National Weather Service.