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A Massena, New York man was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty on Labor Day when his dog died as after being left alone in a hot car for nearly 4 hours.
Patrick Oneill, 66, left his Labrador retriever, Ali, in his car while he and his girlfriend attended the New York State Fair yesterday. They arrived at the fairgrounds around 10:30am, left Ali in the car with one window slightly open and no water. Around 2:00pm, Oneill returned to check on the dog.
When a parking lot attendant called police to the scene, Oneill was standing over his dog while she had a seizure. Police tried, unsuccessfully, to save the dog by cooling her with ice and water.
The Post-Standard reported that Trooper Jack Keller claimed the temperature inside the vehicle had reached nearly 100 degrees.
“He said he thought it would be OK to leave his dog,” Keller told The Post-Standard. “About four hours later he goes back to check on the dog, and the dog is having seizures.”
Last May, Oneill was charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty for failing to care for his horses when state police found three horse skeletons in a field and a fourth horse decomposing inside a barn on his property.
This incident begs the question, why, after 22 prior animal cruelty charges, was this man allowed to own an animal? Weigh in with a comment below.
dian r
Sep 4, 2013 at 12:34 am
Makes me so sad for any animal who ends up with an asshole owner. We all need to be the voice for all animals. I can not even imagine the horrible slow death this precious animal went through.
Kitty
Sep 3, 2013 at 11:09 pm
This guy is a no-good piece of SHIT. Why WHY do people who have histories of animal abuse and neglect keep getting more??? I hate this guy!
GTD Enterprises
Sep 3, 2013 at 9:47 pm
Was at the store w/ my sister and her 4 kids. She ran in and I stayed in the car with the kids. Car running and AC on. It was about 80* and humid out. (prob felt like 85-90). It was cloudy. Sis came out and needed keys for her courtesy card. We rolled down two front windows, she took keys and went inside. She came out and I got out of car to help her w/ packages. In ONLY FIVE MINUTES it was hotter in the car than outside, even tho the AC was on full blast before. And we had the windows open!
Bill Criswell
Sep 3, 2013 at 9:36 pm
That’s exactly why there needs to be a registry for cruelty to animal offenders like there is for sex offenders.
Mary
Sep 3, 2013 at 9:33 pm
The only way to stop horrendous actions like this one is to get animal abuse registry laws passed in every state of the nation. Our legislature in Michigan is working on it right now. Guess who’s fighting it? The state breeders’ association. Not fighting it are police who have seen what happens, animal rescues and many animal activists. If this goes through, a list of animal abusers and their addresses will be available to everyone in the state and it will be against the law for these people to own dogs again. I encourage you to take your passion and your indignancy for the mistreatment of this dog and use it to write your state lawmakers and request a bill be started in the state house, sponsored by your state representative, to get an animal abuse registry law sponsored. Then a senator will have to sponsor one in the state senate. If your representative won’t do it, keep writing representatives until you find one who will! Never give up, never.
Jen Tucker Toledo, OH
Sep 3, 2013 at 8:54 pm
***supposed to say STILL NOT grasp the impact***
Jen Tucker Toledo, OH
Sep 3, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Sad fact . . . this guy is SO stupid that he could spend 20 years in prison for doing this and STILL grasp the impact of his actions. With 22 priors he, without a doubt, lacks empathy — and you simply cannot teach that. There should be a registry for animal abusers just as there are for sexual offenders! Another sad fact, as mentioned previously . . . animals are grossly exploited for humans’ bank accounts and unless the State/Government steps in, that will never change. That said, animals are sold to whomever shows up with the money. It’s a sad, sad world in which we live.
Vicki Slater
Sep 3, 2013 at 8:41 pm
MISDEMEANOR?? How many animals does he get to kill before earning a felony and some prison time?
Sharon Denison
Sep 3, 2013 at 7:08 pm
So sad. People never seem to heed the warnings. Had a recent run-in with a gal who left her Boston Terrier in the car with windows cracked for 15-20 minutes (that I know of). When confronted, it was “He`s fine. We had the windows cracked. We do it all the time.” Explained why it wasn`t “OK” but totally fell on deaf ears.
diane
Sep 3, 2013 at 6:39 pm
How can our system let this happen??? Obviously we don’t have sufficient punishment in place for this crime… How many more helpless animals need to die before lawmakers step it up…
Michael Souza
Sep 3, 2013 at 6:17 pm
I can’t comment right now IN TEARS & REALLY PISSED!!! Give me 5 minutes & a LOCKED ROOM with this moron.
lisa
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Their are no words to describe this type of human or blame to put on who let him get another animal no-one knew that’s just the way of the system probably from a private party and the bottom line is –HE should of known better and better yet the people who were the closest to him already knew how he was neglectful non caring s..o..b.. need i say more, they should post his name all over the local newspaper and thro him in jail no food or water………
Hildy
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:34 pm
I can not believe this is not a felony. When will the law throw this assholes in jail? I am so sick of seeing this type of abuse over and over again!
Julie Halton
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Most horrible thing I have EVER heard.
Janet Withers
Sep 3, 2013 at 4:57 pm
This story makes me furious. How many times has it been told -DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG OR ANY ANIMAL IN A HOT CAR! What does it take to be a believer. Makes me wonder if this was intentional or are ppl really that stupid? Makes me sick.
Carlos Rose
Sep 3, 2013 at 3:29 pm
We all know that these Stupid, brainless idiots will never suffer the harsh punishments that they deserve!!! I really can’t understand why these people don’t get charged with a felony, after having a record of Animal Cruelty in the past. This asshole really does deserve a felony, especially with 22 animal cruelty charges in the past!!!!! Petitions have to be sent to all voting age people in each state to increase the penalties for ANIMAL ABUSE & NEGLECT!!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE ORGANIZE. IF YOU HAVE TO, THREATEN THE POLITICIANS WITH REFUSALS TO VOTE FOR THEM!!
Julie Halton
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:00 pm
I have been to the NY State Fair many times and the heat is almost unbearable. I can’t even imagine what a horrible death this dog suffered in that car. I agree with everyone as to what should be done
to this guy. horrible suffering and death is actually too good for him.
millergal
Sep 3, 2013 at 3:01 pm
I hope authorities keep an eye on 326 Haverstock Road in Massena, since he has a history of animal abuse. In May 2013 several deceased horses were found on his property, and all of them needed treatment for parasites and their hooves trimmed. One horse with a skin infection had to be euthanized. None of the horses were removed. What a shame. His poor labrador was only two years old. I cringe to think how she must have suffered before she began having seizures.
Cathy
Sep 3, 2013 at 2:47 pm
As much as we enjoy taking our dog with us when we go out, if we’re going somewhere that is not pet friendly, he stays at home – or we don’t go. This should not happen.
Beverly Miller
Sep 3, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Why in the world would anyone take a pet to the State Fair knowing they would be gone for hours?? There is no excuse for this action. Now a sweet dog gives up his life for these stupid people! Mistreat horses, and now a dog. You sure do not want this creep anywhere around your children! The laws need to be more severe for this type crime. I know people that say “well it was just a dog”. There is a stupid comment by anyone who makes it! They need to be in jail for taking this dog to the Fair, and they are not! How can we change this??? OMG, disgraceful, and unacceptable by any stretch of the imagination.
Diana Kennedy
Sep 3, 2013 at 2:09 pm
I like and agree with all the comments,this guy is an idiot and moreso the LAW who slaps him and MANY MANY others in the hand for this and far worse,its SHAMEFUL what this evil people get away with on innocent loyal animals,I agree with the truck driver also ,now this person cares for the pets and is awesome,why can’t everyone just try and be human or is that the problem,animals are better then most humans and laws have got to CHANGE ,a life is a life whether it be an animal or human.Poor dog and horses,HATE this guy!!!I too would like to taser him there!!!
gayle
Sep 3, 2013 at 1:54 pm
He should be sent to prison for the rest of his life!!!!
Beagle Mom
Sep 3, 2013 at 1:40 pm
i like the comment about he should have been charged with a taser to his nether regions!!! i used to be a truckdriver, and i traveled with a golden retriever and a beagle…..SOP i ALWAYS carried 2 sets of keys….if my pups were in the truck and in need of heating or cooling, the truck was running and they were climate controlled….i do the same thing now….i have five beagles and i always carry an extra set of keys, so if i have to leave them even for a minute, they have a/c….plus i cool the car down before putting them in it…..good thing i wasn’t the cop…..i would’ve put a bullet between his legs!!!!! i absolutely agree background checks should be required, especially if there’s any question or doubts…..i have two that are epileptic, i never leave them alone and i would absolutely shoot someone to protect my pets….
Carlos Rose
Sep 3, 2013 at 3:38 pm
I AGREE WITH YOU BEAGLE MOM!!! I WOULD DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING TO HIM OR HER!! I’M A RETIRED COP, & I HAVE ARRESTED QUITE A FEW FOR ANIMAL ABUSE & NEGLECT!! THIS ONE PARTICULARLY STUNG ME, BECAUSE I HAD A FEMALE BLACK LAB THAT LOOKED JUST THE SAME AS THIS ONE. I LOST HER TO CANCER A FEW YEARS BACK. SHE WAS MY CHILD!!!!!!!!!!
GayleJo
Sep 3, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Why would he take the dog in the first place if he knew he was going to the fair. I
You can’t fix stupid !!!
Deb
Sep 3, 2013 at 1:07 pm
22 charges previously and he was charged now with a misdemeanor? He should have been charged with a taser – to the nether regions, his girlfriend might appreciate that. Worthless sucking waster of space. JAILTIME!!! No A/C.
mk
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Do we need to issue licenses to have animals and children?! omg, how stupid can you be? And did no one walking through the parking lot see the dog in the car?
cary
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Unbelievably heartbreaking. There needs to be much stiffer laws for these poor animals. There also should jave been parking attendants monitoring the lots. I was at a fair last year and someone left their dog in their car. We went to the police and they took care of the situation immediately.
karen p
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I wish there was a law to require background checks for potential pet sales/adoptions. If a background check had been done then this man would ever have been able to own a dog.
It is ridiculous to me that in this day and age somebody would actually think it is okay to leave their pet inside a vehicle. My question is if he and the girlfriend were going to the fair why not just leave the dog at home? Or put the pup in a daycare.
Dawn
Sep 3, 2013 at 1:26 pm
They refuse to make a law that requires background checks for military assault weapons, do you really think they would ever pass that for pets? And you can not unilaterally pass a law making it illegal to ever leave your pet in a car. When you travel with a pet there is always a need to leave it in the vehicle FOR SHORT PERIODS AT A TIME! You can not take an animal into the rest area when you go to the bathroom and you can not take an animal into a restaurant when you need to eat, and you can not expect people to never travel with their pets…have you ever moved across country?
Came home once after leaving my dog with a friend who was supposed to have stayed overnight for three days and it was obvious that she had never slept there, so the dog was alone 90% of the time…not safe or pleasant for that particular dog. How would you like it if you ran into the rest area bathroom for 5mins and came back and someone had broken your window and taken your dog…because it was legal to do so…not me!!
Janet Withers
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Dawn, Do you realize that if you go in some place to eat which takes @ least a half hr. Well in that half hr. your dog could be dead. If it’s 85-90 degrees outside it is over 125 degrees in your car. And while we are on the subject, do you realize how many dogs are stolen out of “locked” cars to either be used to sell the dog or for DOG-FIGHTING. Think twice before you leave your dog in the car alone!!!!!!! That’s only COMMON SENSE!
Vicky
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Ridiculous! Until there is steeper punishment for this stupid crap this will continue to go on. And this “oh, I thought he’d be okay”. Please! People this stupid shouldn’t be allowed to own animals have kids. They have no say in the matter. I agree with Nancy. Maybe they need a stamp on their forehead for goodness sake. But God forbid, that would go against their civil rights. Now he’ll just get more dogs, more horse. And they’ll continue to suffer and die as a result of his stupidity and evil ways. Wish our society would look out for the innocent for a change instead of the idiots! Breaks my heart.
herdis smith
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:48 pm
ccan not believe he did get a Felony charge
herdis smith
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Oops, I meant to say that he should have been charged with a Felony
kim m
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:21 pm
he should be left in a hot car for four hours with no water and only a cracked window….stupid heartless piece of crap.
pam thompson
Sep 3, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Both humans involved should face the same as the dog. wonder how long it takes an adult to die from heat in a car????
Marion
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Dr. Ernie Ward, vet who has his own fb page, did a video of himself sitting in a hot car for 30 minutes, everyone should watch it. Anyone who doesn’t have any common sense should watch it. Yes they should subject this idiot to the same conditions & let him feel what his poor dog felt. I can’t believe anyone is stupid enough to do this, with all the publicity & just plain common sense to know that it’s too hot in a car for anyone on a hot day. Please just sentence him to 30 minutes in a hot car with the window cracked a little, and see what happens. STupid people need to learn, this man should never own an animal, especially with his cruelty history. Sad that in this country we don’t value life very highly, even children. Look how many people have left their children in hot cars, people just don’t have any common sense, or you can’t fix stupidity. We live in a pathetic society sometimes. Very sad, things like this shouldn’t happen.
Pam
Sep 3, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Well said and agree wholeheartedly.
Nancy Arnwine
Sep 3, 2013 at 11:56 am
Maybe they should tattoo a ‘no pets’ symbol on their foreheads so that everyone seeing them will know they aren’t supposed to own animals. Why would anyone take their dog to a place that the dog won’t be allowed to go into & have to sit out in a hot car? Why not leave the dog home where it is much safer? Stupid jackasses like that should be sentenced to the same conditions they subjected their animals to. He obviously didn’t learn anything from his past experiences with his animals, maybe because he didn’t get a stiff enough penalty.
Diana Kennedy
Sep 3, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Like the tattoo idea,PERFECT for the idiots out there that mistreat an animal,and please anywhere else,have a heart,DO Not sell an animal to just anyone,please use your brains…They have a face and a heartbeat like us and are more then a human can ever be!!!
robina
Sep 3, 2013 at 5:53 pm
People have litters of dogs/cats for sale to line their pockets with money. It’s their “cash crop”. It is sad but true. God gave us dominion over animals, but we need to be responsible for all animals in the world. We are created in God’s likeness, now we all need to act like it!
Valerie Orwick
Sep 3, 2013 at 3:16 pm
This is so disgusting that people can’t stand to leave their pets at home, so they have to subject them to the heat of the day and the hot car. They should subject these people to the same thing, so they can experience how horrible this is to the animal. Get a heart people, and a life.
Jody Ambro
Sep 3, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Jody, I wish people would really use their brains! really think long and hard about leaving your beloved dog in a hot car, really now come on what did u get a dog for, to leave in a hot car and bake his brains? DON’T DO THAT!!! I LOVE MY HANS HE IS MY BABY THAT I CANNOT HAVE, IF I SEE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY HOT DAY BEFORE MY HUSBAND AND I GO OUT, WE WOULD LEAVE MY BABY HOME IN A REALLY NICE COOL HOUSE INSTEAD OF TAKING HIM OUT IN THE SMOLDERING HEAT!!! NO WAY WILL I LEAVE HIM OUT IN A HOT CAR FOR 4 HOURS!!! WHAT SICK BASTARDS THEY WERE! I CAN TELL BY THE OWNWER MUST OF NOT OF REALLY LOVED HIM THAT MUCH IF HE’S GOING TO LEAVE IN A HOT CAR FOR 4 HOURS!!! NOW FOR THAT I HOPE THAT GUY CAN NEVER EVER OWN ANOTHER ANIMAL AGAIN!!!! THANK YOU!!! Jody P. Ambro Grenier of Pemberton, NJ
Pam
Sep 3, 2013 at 9:23 pm
The temp rises very quickly in a car so if it’s hot outside, you should not leave your pet in the car AT ALL. This is just a guide to show you how quickly temps rise: weather.com/newscenter/specialtopics/slideshows/hotcar061909.html
JODIE
Sep 3, 2013 at 11:44 am
He was probably allowed to own an animal because he bouht the animal. People who sell dogs don’t care who buys them.