Police: Wis. Man Arrested After Leaving 4 Dogs, 7 Cats In Hot SUV

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A 64-year-old man has been arrested in a Madison store parking lot after police say he left four dogs and seven cats in a hot vehicle.

Madison police say the Verona man was arrested Wednesday afternoon on tentative charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and mistreatment of animals. According to police, several people saw the dogs and cats inside the suspect's small SUV, which had the windows cracked slightly.

Authorities say some in the group called police, and the suspect got back from shopping before police arrived. Police say he tried to leave, but several people stood behind his SUV as he tried to back out.

Officers described the scene as "chaotic," and police say the man claimed he was moving his pets. The animals were taken to Public Health Madison and Dane County's Animal Services Division.