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- The Madera Tribune

Alfred Gonzalez

Photo by: For The Madera Tribune

A Sunland man was arrested Monday after deputies found a dog locked inside a car at the Chukchansi casino. All the windows on the car were rolled up.

"He's facing felony animal cruelty charges," sheriff's spokeswoman Erica Stuart said. "His dog was found suffering inside a locked vehicle that had been sitting in sweltering, triple-digit heat."

Deputy Jacob Tallmon went to the casino about 11:40 p.m., where he saw the dog trapped in the car, Stuart said. Alfred Gonzalez, who owns the car, was found inside the casino.

"By the time security was notified, they did manage to free the small white dog," Stuart said. "But it was barely alive. According to Tallmon, the dog's breathing was shallow and, despite efforts by security and casino patrons to give the animal water, it lacked any strength to take a gulp."

Stuart said Gonzalez admitted he owned the dog and said it was about 12 years old. Animal control was called in, and took custody of the dog, Stuart said.

Gonzalez posted the $10,000 bail and was released from the county jail. He is expected to appear in court Aug. 18 to answer to the felony charges, Stuart said.