A Niles man is charged with animal cruelty after police say his dog was found in a locked car, parked in direct sunlight when the temperature outside was 84 degrees. 

A dog is in the hospital after being left inside a vehicle in Austintown, according to officials with Animal Charity of Ohio. 

According to Lt. Tom Collins with the Austintown Police Department, officials responded to Hollywood Gaming's parking lot around 1 p.m. Wednesday after someone spotted the dog inside the vehicle. Lt. Collins said he was able to get the vehicle unlocked and good Samaritans helped get the dog out. 

The officer who forced the car's door open reported feeling a "rush of intense heat" coming from inside, where he found the Pit Bull passed out.

Bystanders took the dog to a shaded area, pouring bottles of water on it, trying to get it to drink.

The dog was taken to Animal Charity of Ohio where board president Mary Louk says the pit bull mix had to be hospitalized in Akron. She says the dog suffered from the heat and lack of water. They are waiting for more details from the emergency clinic.

Lt. Collins said 55-year-old Charles Winwood of Niles was arrested on the scene at Hollywood Gaming. According to Lt. Collins, Winwood told him he had lost track of time.

Right now, Winwood faces an animal cruelty charge, a misdemeanor of the second degree. Lt. Collins says it can be elevated to a felony depending on the status of the dog.

Louk reminds everyone to not leave animals inside vehicles.