Cassaundra C. Rasmussen, 49, of Crestview, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor cruelty toward animals.
The Crestview Police Department arrested Rasmussen after allegedly leaving her dog, Waldo, unattended in a motor vehicle, in the parking lot of Walmart June 27.
The dog — discovered by another customer, at around 11 a.m. — died from symptoms consistent with heat exhaustion, as a result of the high temperatures in the vehicle.
Though Rasmussen left the driver side window partially down, the temperatures continued to increase in the vehicle which resulted in the dogs death. There was no food or water available for the dog.
Rasmussen was inside Walmart browsing for approximately 13 hours, and when confronted, Rasmussen stated that she forgot the dog was inside of the vehicle. A warrant wasissued for Rasmussen and she was arrested at approximately 4 p.m. June 30.
Rasmussen was transported and delivered into the custody of the Okaloosa County Jail without incident.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Police: Dog dead after woman's 13-hour shopping trip