CANTON ‒ A pet owner has avoided jail time for leaving her Yorkshire terrier puppy in her car while shopping in Hartville on a hot July day, causing it to die .

Stark County Common Pleas Judge Natalie R. Haupt sentenced the Canton resident on Oct. 22 to a 180-day jail sentence, which is suspended on condition of two years' good behavior.

The 50-year-old woman pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor of the first degree. She had originally been indicted on a charge of cruelty to companion animals, a felony of the fifth degree.

The sentencing order filed Oct. 27 also requires the defendant to perform 50 hours of community service, complete a mental health assessment and follow any resulting recommendations.

The woman left the puppy, which was 6 to 8 weeks old, without wat

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