LILBURN, Ga. — Heat and neglect are being blamed for the death of a dog that was left outside on a backyard patio for nearly a week in Gwinnett County, according to police.
A homeowner and his ex-tenant are facing criminal charges for the death of the dog in Lilburn over the weekend.
The Border Collie was found “tethered to a porch railing with no food, water or shelter from the heat”, according to an arrest warrant.
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Hai Nguyen, 55, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with felony animal cruelty after the dog’s death at his home.
However, he says the dog belonged to an ex-tenant who left the dog behind when he left the in-law suite attached to the home without paying the rent he owed.
“It’s not my dog,” Nguyen told Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson.
He says he realized the dog had died on Saturday night. He called animal control on Sunday morning to report the deceased dog, he says.
“I bring the food to the dog to eat and the next day I come out the dog died,” he said. “He leave the dog in the back and I didn’t know.”
The unnamed tenant is also being charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty, according to police. He has yet to turn himself in.
“Both the landlord and the tenant bear some responsibility for the dog’s welfare,” said Cpt. Scott Bennett with Lilburn Police.
As temperatures heat back up again this summer, Bennett says these deaths don’t have to happen.
“The dog was left outside for five to six days and the temperatures have been extremely high,” he said. “Just show common decency.”
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