A tragic event unfolded at Disney Springs, leading to animal cruelty charges for a Puerto Rico resident who left four Bernedoodle puppies in a sweltering car. Wilson Nieves Cortes, 39, faces serious legal consequences for his actions on May 4, according to documents filed by agricultural-crime detectives.
Extradition Request for Man Charged with Animal Cruelty
Cortes had traveled to the popular entertainment and dining complex after acquiring the designer dogs from an Ohio breeder. He claimed he intended to spend only 20 minutes picking up food for his family. However, investigation data revealed he was away from his vehicle for over two hours.
The dire situation was discovered by a security officer who heard the dogs barking from inside the parked SUV. Firefighters and paramedics from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and Disney Animal Kingdom veterinarians were immediately called to the scene. They found the dogs in a state of distress, one suffering from severe heat stroke. Despite their best efforts, one puppy could not be saved.
Orange County deputy Matthew Thorne, who has been with the agricultural crime unit since 2017, found enough evidence to charge Cortes with animal cruelty. The affidavit states the deceased pup “died a cruel and painful death,” justifying the request for Cortes’ extradition from Puerto Rico. Animal cruelty, under the cited statute, is a third-degree felony with a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
Owner’s Intentions and Tragic Outcome
Cortes informed investigators that he had planned to train the three-month-old Bernedoodles as emotional support animals for his family as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. He explained that he made a quick stop at Disney Springs to buy food, not realizing the venue was predominantly dine-in. After deciding the line at Blaze Pizza was too long, he left the puppies in a collapsible carrier within the SUV, thinking the shaded garage and cracked windows would suffice for ventilation.
The puppies, however, managed to escape the carrier. When discovered, one puppy was inside the overturned carrier, while another sat on top. Firefighters managed to rescue three of the pups, who quickly recovered with the aid of water and cooling packs. These three were later adopted by the firefighters who saved them.
Sadly, the fourth puppy’s condition was dire. With a heart rate double the normal rate and her body “extremely hot to the touch,” she was eventually euthanized due to the severity of her heat stroke.
Cortes returned to his car only after the dogs had been removed and treated, too late to save the fourth pup. This case underscores the severe consequences of leaving pets in hot vehicles, a lesson tragically learned in this heartbreaking incident.