Three people were caught trying to sell puppies out of a cart on a beach near Naples Pier Sunday.
The Naples Police Department says, around 2:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of a city ordinance violation regarding dogs on the beach.
Ernest Augustin, 38, Yuniesky Campos Hartman, 42, and Mariel Palominoca Campos, 24, were seen pulling a wagon and attempting to sell the dogs. Reports say the puppies were covered with a blanket and being deprived of fresh air.
NPD states at that time the area was under a heat advisory.
Officers lifted the blankets and found six puppies. Two had shallow breathing and were nearly unresponsive, according to reports.
The animals seemed to be in distress due to the heat. Officers put the dogs in the car with water and the air conditioning on high.
The police department says after 20 minutes, the puppies recovered from the heat and appeared to be in better health.
Collier County Domestic Animal Services arrived at the scene to take custody of the dogs and medically evaluate them.
An investigation by police determined that the suspects kept the dogs from food or shelter in a cruel manner. All three people were charged with animal cruelty.