An Englewood man is accused of locking his dog in a hot car, then running over a good Samaritan who tried to rescue the overheating pet.
Anthony Panagoplos fled the scene but was later arrested and faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. However, no charges have been filed for leaving the puppy in the dangerously hot car.
The incident occurred in the parking lot outside the Bealls store in Placida on Friday.
Liz Briley and Sarah Nolin, two employees of the local humane society, spotted the young German Shepherd mix in distress inside the car parked next to them as they were leaving the store. Concerned for the dog’s safety, they immediately stepped in to help.
"He was panting pretty crazy. When he put his nose through the window, I checked his gums. His gums were white," Briley said. "It was sad he was there before we got there and we were there for like 45 minutes."
Briley and Nolin, along with three other good Samaritans, attempted to give the puppy water through a small opening in the window.
“They were like trying to put it in the cap of the gallon jug, and it just like wasn't enough. So they just kind of dumped it in,” Nolin said.
The puppy's owner, identified by authorities as Anthony Panagoplos, came out of the store and confronted the group. Witnesses say he appeared agitated and aggressive. Rather than taking responsibility, he reportedly moved his car to another spot, rolled the windows up further, and locked the dog back inside before going back into the store.
At that point, Briley called 911. Before officers arrived, Panagoplos returned — and the situation escalated.
“He goes, ‘I'll kick your a**.’ And then, he got in the car, just put it in reverse, hit him,” Briley said, referring to one of the men trying to help the dog.
The bystander was knocked to the ground but not seriously injured. Briley added, "He went to Taco Bell after—so the most Florida thing ever."
On Friday, temperatures reached 86 degrees.
A spokesperson for Charlotte County Animal Control said, "If it’s 86 degrees outside, then it could reach 104 within 10 minutes or 119 within 30 minutes, a dog is at risk of heat stroke when the temp reaches 105 and multiple organ failure and death can occur at 107° and above."
DOWNLOAD
the free
Gulf Coast News app
for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.