Urbandale Teen Charged With Animal Neglect in Dog Death

Urbandale police have charged Luis Lara-Leyva, who turned 18 today, with animal neglect in the June 29 death of his dog.

Lara Leyva was at the family home in the 3100 block of 67th Street when police arrived. A neighbor had called police concerned about the dog.

The one-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd was found dead in its kennel. The dog had no water at the time police arrived. The high temperature that day was 93 degrees.

A necropsy of the animal found that the likely cause of death was severe dehydration, said Lt. Rob Johansen.

Police sought a decision on who to charge from the Polk County Attorney's office because Lara-Leyva lives with his mother, Leticia Leyva-Nunez. Leyva-Nunez was not home at the time of the dog's death.

Johansen said the dog was owned by the teen, which likely is why he was charged.

A serious misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,875.