Dog Dies After Being Locked in Car, Thrown in Dumpster at Manchester Grocery Store

A Groton man is facing animal cruelty charges after locking his Yorkshire Terrier in the car, then throwing the dog's body in a dumpster outside a Manchester supermarket, according to police.

Jason Johnson, 30, has been charged with cruelty to animals, interfering with police and tampering with evidence.

Police said a bystander found Johnson's dog locked in a car in the parking lot of Shop Rite at 214 Spencer Street in Manchester on July 31.

Another person then called to say they had watched Johnson throw the dog into a dumpster, according to police. Investigators found the dog's body wrapped in a blanket.

Authorities determined the dog died of "acute cardiovascular shock and collapse with possible environmental reasons such as heat shock," police said.

Johnson was held on $10,000 bond.

It's not clear if he has an attorney.

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