A sharp-eyed driver and a quick response from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office saved four animals from near-death inside a scorching metal box truck on Thursday. Two Miami men now face animal cruelty charges after deputies pulled two dogs and two pigeons from the back of a U-Haul box truck where outside temperatures had soared to 102 degrees.

Rescue Efforts

The rescue began when a concerned citizen noticed a dog desperately trying to climb out from a small gap beneath the roll-up door of a moving U-Haul truck. The witness immediately called local authorities to report the incident, describing the scene as “a terrible sight.”

Deputies caught up with the U-Haul at a RaceTrac gas station located at 301 Palm Coast Parkway Northeast. When questioned, the driver, 70-year-old Angel Valdes, denied that the animals were in danger, telling deputies they “just needed water.”

However, law enforcement officers could already see two large dog noses pushing through the gap under the truck’s rear door, trying to get air. Upon opening the cargo area, deputies found two severely overheated dogs lying in their own urine. An 80-pound English bulldog was entirely unable to stand, while a 70-pound pit bull mix struggled to stay on its feet.

Palm Coast Animal Control officers arrived at the scene and confirmed the dogs were suffering from severe neglect and required urgent veterinary attention. While examining the cargo area, deputies heard faint chirping coming from a closed storage container that lacked air holes. Inside, they found two full-grown pigeons also suffering from a lack of air and water.

Arrests and Charges

Animal Control took custody of all four animals and rushed them to the East Coast Animal Hospital for emergency stabilization. Angel Valdes and his son, 35-year-old Roy Valdes Hernandez, were arrested on charges of animal cruelty. Both men were booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and were later released after posting a $500 bond each.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said following the arrests, “If you wouldn’t ride in a metal box in 102-degree heat with no air, don’t force an animal to do it. This family had room to bring their dogs up front, but chose to let them cook in the back of a U-Haul instead. Remember, if it has a heartbeat don’t leave it unattended in any vehicle, especially in the current heat wave we are having.”

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.