Youngstown Police were alerted to a dog being left inside of a vehicle parked inside of the Commerce Public Parking lot on November 17.

According to a police report, a tan Pitbull was left alone inside of a black Ford Mustang around 1 a.m. 

Police say the dog was left with no food and water and the car alarm was going off.  Witnesses told police the suspect was likely at one of the bars nearby and left their pet inside the vehicle.

Police say the owner of the dog, William Perez, eventually arrived to the scene and told police that the dog was fine. When Perez was told a dog could not be locked in a car alone for an extended period of time with no food or water he allegedly said he did not care.

William told police he was only away from the vehicle for 20 minutes but police believed the dog had been left alone for at least 45 minutes.  He also explained that he was a passenger and did not own the car.

William Perez was charged with animal cruelty and given a court date of November 18.