Contact: Nathan Lederman 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – A mother and daughter from Bridgewater were arraigned today in Brockton District Court stemming from the July deaths of their two dogs, who were left unattended in a hot vehicle for over 90 minutes, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Lisa Smith, 59, and Rachel Smith, 33, were each charged with one count each of Cruelty to Animals and Confinement of an Animal in a Motor Vehicle Causing Exposure to Extreme Heat or Cold. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on personal recognizance with the conditions that they undergo mental health evaluations, do not own or possess any animals, and have no unsupervised contact with any animals. The Commonwealth had requested both defendants be held on $5,000 cash bail.
On the afternoon of July 16, Bridgewater Police responded to reports of two women in an agitated state outside of a building on Heather Lane. Investigators found two deceased dogs at the scene and later determined they had died after being left in a vehicle with no open windows or air conditioning for over 90 minutes. Preliminary investigation found Lisa Smith had placed the dogs in her vehicle after they had been “causing a ruckus” and subsequently left the home with her daughter, Rachel, to run errands. The defendants left the home in another vehicle which was parked alongside the car containing both dogs and had a clear view of the other vehicle when they left the home. Neither defendant made efforts to contact law enforcement after they discovered the deceased dogs hours later. A temperature reading performed by responding law enforcement personnel following the discovery of the deceased animals found the vehicle had reached temperatures of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Both women were issued a summons to appear in Brockton District Court today for their arraignments related to this incident.
Lisa and Rachel Smith are next scheduled to appear in court on December 4.