Fourteen Dogs Perish In Heat-Related Accident In Indiana

(CBS) – Northwest Indiana police are calling it a tragic accident: Fourteen competition show dogs die from heat inside a truck after the air conditioner malfunctions.

CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reports a kennel is now under investigation.

St. Joseph County Humane Society Executive Director Genny Carlson loves dogs. That's why what happened at a South Bend Quality Inn parking lot last Friday upsets her.

"It is absolutely a first for me. I've been here for 10 years," she says.

The tragedy occurred when an Ohio woman tasked with hauling 14 golden retrievers to a dog show being held in South Bend.

She took a nap in her motel room. She left the dogs in an air-conditioned truck, as the sun beat down. Two and half hours later she woke up.

"That's when they discovered that something had gone terribly wrong," Carlson says.

The A/C in the truck had gone out, killing the dogs.

"It breaks my heart for the dog owners and also for the person who was caring for them," professional dog-sitter Michelle Jaeckel says.

No charges have been filed.