Lake Wales, Florida – Lake Wales Police Officer’s responded to 2000 SR 60 E, Walmart in reference to a dog locked inside a parked vehicle. Upon arrival an officer made contact with a witness. The witness stated when she arrived at Wal-Mart she could hear a dog barking in the vehicle. She went in the store and when she returned about thirty minutes later she hear the same dog barking. The witness located the dog in a vehicle that was not running and only had one window down approx 4 inches. At that time Brittani Kierstead and another person exited Wal-Mart and walked to the vehicle. Kierstead stated that her brother was left in the vehicle with the car running while she and the other person into Wal-Mart. After further investigation and discussion Kierstead allegedly admitted the brother was not with them. Officers viewed the video from Wal-Mart and discovered Kierstead left the dog in the vehicle and went into Wal-Mart for approx 47 minutes. Officers checked the real feel temp and it was 110 degrees. Officers completed a complaint affidavit charging Kierstead with misdemeanor animal cruelty. Animal control responded and took possession of the dog.
