A tragic story is going viral this week that has animal lovers feeling enraged and devastated.

A dog died this week in Sebastian, Florida when his owner left him in his car despite sweltering temperatures while he went drinking in a bar. Police have since arrested 64-year-old Harold Krages and charged him with animal cruelty.

Police say that Krages arrived at Earl’s Hideaway just after noon on June 21. While he spent hours in the bar, Krages left his dog in the car car with the engine off and the windows rolled down only slightly.

Angry patrons at the bar called police right after 4pm after they learned the dog was in the vehicle. Krages defended his actions to these patrons by saying that the dog was”old and going to die anyway.” They managed to rescue the dog and bring the animal inside to the air-conditioned restroom, where the animal died.

Temperatures reached 97 degrees on Thursday, and police say the interior of the vehicle was 102 degrees.

“It’s just really sad,” said local resident Ian Larkin. “We have to take on the responsibility of taking care of that animal, just like you would your own child. We live in the state of Florida where it is very humid and it’s hot outside and it only takes minutes.”

It’s heartbreaking that this dog had an owner who cared so little about his well-being. Frankly, we think Harold Krages deserves prison for what he did to this poor animal!

SHARE this story if you think the judge should throw the book at Krages!