Dog dies in Chandler, owner faces at least one animal cruelty charge

One dog died from dehydration in Chandler, Arizona, on Monday, and the owner is facing at least one animal cruelty charge.

Ismael Ochoa, 31, is being accused of leaving four dogs chained outside in his backyard without food and water, resulting in the loss of one dog with medical examinations of the other three to follow.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said it was 117 degrees outside when a neighbor saw the dogs outside, and the neighbor went over to try and save them from suffering.

Arpaio said the suspect tried to run away from his house near the cross-section Riggs and McQueen roads, but got pulled over by officers and arrested.

“The suspect escaped from the residence, got in his car — tried to run away,” Arpaio said. “Our deputies pulled him over at gunpoint; took him out.”

Arpaio said the suspect had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest, including one for assault, before the incident.

“We’re going to charge him with an animal cruelty charge at least with the one dog that’s dead, and the other three we’ll see what’s going to happen with that,” Arpaio said.

In this record-setting weather, Arpaio stressed that people need to understand animals could die from the heat, especially if they are left without water for too long.

“This is getting out of hand, leaving dogs out to die in this hot heat and we’re going to keep enforcing those laws,” Arpaio said. “We’re going to keep putting the people in jail who violate the animal cruelty laws.

“Even though this is just one that died, every dog’s life is precious.”

Follow @KTAR923