Chickens die in hot car
Staunton, VA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 4, 2008
County: Staunton City
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Nixsa Swinson
Police charged a Wal-Mart shopper with animal cruelty Thursday afternoon after six chickens were found running loose inside her 1998 Mercedes-Benz, according to the Staunton Police Department.
Two of the chickens died after temperatures reached 117 degrees inside the vehicle, according to police readings.
Police were called to the Richmond Road store at 4:30 p.m. after receiving a report that chickens were trapped inside a parked car on Wal-Mart's lot.
"They were full-grown hens," said Amy Hammer, a Staunton animal control officer.
Hammer said the chickens managed to break out of two cardboard boxes while their owner, Nixsa Swinson, 57, of Staunton waited for a prescription at Wal-Mart's pharmacy. Police are still trying to determine how long Swinson was inside the store.
Police arrived and immediately pulled the chickens from the unlocked car, Hammer said. The chickens were taken to Cedarcrest Animal Clinic in Fishersville. One was dead on arrival. The clinic cooled off the chickens with ice packs and fans, but a second chicken later died, according to Hammer.
Hammer said she believes Swinson purchased the chickens prior to visiting Wal-Mart.
The surviving chickens are being cared for at the Augusta Regional SPCA. "They all seem to be doing OK at this point," Hammer said. The chickens will be put up for adoption if it is determined there are no health issues.
Swinson has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. She remains free on a summons to appear in court. References« VA State Animal Cruelty Map
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