The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has dropped animal cruelty charges against Ross Niehaus, the owner of Waggles Pet Resort in Wheeling, Illinois, after a 6-year-old dog named Miller was found dead in a hot van. Miller, a 110-pound black Labrador, was left in the van during a 97-degree day after being transported to the daycare. His owner, Steve Serota, expressed his grief and frustration that the charges were dismissed, feeling that it undermined the loss of his family member.
Serota noted that Miller was not checked into the facility properly, and employees didn’t realize he was missing until later in the day. Legal analysts suggest the dismissal may indicate insufficient evidence to prove Niehaus’s direct involvement in the dog’s death. The situation has left the Serota family mourning the loss, stating that Miller was more than just a pet; he was a family member.
