15 dogs seized in sheriff's parking lot

SANTA FE, N.M., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The head of a New Mexico animal shelter stopped at a police station to explain a dog-napping "mistake" and 15 dogs were seized from her car, police said.

Natalie Owings, director of the Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary near Santa Fe, said there were 15 dogs in her vehicle Thursday when she stopped at the Santa Fe County Sheriff's office to explain why an employee had taken a Yorkshire terrier Sept. 28 from outside the Bureau of Land Management offices on an apparently bogus tip the animal was being abused, the Albuquerque Journal reported Friday.

However, while Owings was explaining what she called a "big mistake," deputies seized 15 dogs, including the Yorkie, from Owings' truck, Sheriff Greg Solano said.

"They were suffering from the heat," Solano said. "The temperature in the vehicle was 111 degrees. At least one puppy is lethargic and being treated for a temperature of 107 degrees. The rest are doing well but need to cool down."

Owings was cited with 15 counts of neglect or failure to care for an animal, which could carry fines of up to $50 per dog. Solano said more charges are possible in connection with the theft of the Yorkie, which was returned to its owner.