Ballwin Man Arrested for Animal Cruelty

arrested a Ballwin man Tuesday evening after he allegedly left three dogs in a his car and went to a restaurant.

Town & Country Police Captain Gary Hoelzer said Ryan Davis was arrested at restaurant in Woods Mill Plaza.

Police said they received a call just before 6 p.m. that three dogs were locked in a Toyota Camry in the parking lot of Hoelzer said the caller told police the dogs had been in the car for approximately one hour.

"I don't know how they survived from that," Hoelzer said. "I have three dogs too, and I can't imagine that, subjecting them to that."

Hoelzer said an officer went from business to business trying to locate the dogs' owner. Police said Davis was found seated in Mike Duffy’s.

Hoelzer said when Davis was questioned about the dogs in the car, Davis made a remark to the effect of, "I know my dogs, and they're fine." 

Officers arrested Davis for animal cruelty, and the dogs were released at the scene to his girlfriend who was with Davis in the restaurant.

"The officers have the discretion of what they thought the seriousness of the matter was and the amount of jeopardy he put the dogs in. Based on the circumstances, they chose to make an arrest," Hoelzer said.

Davis was booked and released on $200 cash bond. His court date is set for Sept. 8 in Town and Country Municipal Court at which time Davis is expected to enter a plea.

"People need to realize that it's not only a matter of safety, it's a matter of law, and if you choose to violate that law, you are subject to arrest, as this gentleman found out," Hoelzer said.

Tuesday's arrest comes roughly one month after a woman was arrested outside Chicago when two pit bulls were found dead in her locked car while she shopped at a Value City Furniture. Reports said the weather was 81 degrees and sunny when the dogs were found.

St. Louis weather reports indicate that Tuesday's high reached 100° or higher. Meteorologists said that factoring in humidity, the heat index ranged between 107° and 115°.