Ocean County couple indicted in death of dog left out in sweltering heat

OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. (AP) - The owners of a dog that died last summer after it was left outside in sweltering temperatures for several hours have been indicted on animal cruelty charges.

Ocean County prosecutors say 40-year-old Jonathon Correa and 28-year-old Kiara Martinez, who live together in a Brick apartment complex, could each face up to five years in prison if convicted.

The pair allegedly left Princess, their 13-month-old female cane corso dog, alone on their balcony on July 1. Temperatures at the time were around 100 degrees.

Brick police responded to the apartment after neighbors reported the dog was unconscious and in severe distress. The officers tried to cool down the dog and took it to an animal hospital, but Princess died there two days later of complications from heat stroke.

It wasn't known Friday if either Correa or Martinez have retained attorneys.