Man charged for keeping dogs in car during subzero temperatures

A Chicago man was arrested for allegedly leaving his two dogs in his vehicle for four days without food and water as temperatures plummeted. Manuel Gaitan, 46, of Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood was arrested and charged with animal cruelty in the case, the Chicago Tribune reported. On Sunday, he was ordered held in lieu of $40,000 bail. The dogs, a 4-year-old male mutt and a 3-year-old Akita-German shepherd mix, were spotted in Gaitan's sports utility vehicle by a police officer at about 1 a.m. on Jan. 6, the start of Illinois' subzero temperatures, said Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Katherine Fox. Police later discovered that Gaitan also lived in the vehicle, but hadn't been seen in a few days, Fox said. Officer got the dogs out of the vehicle on Thursday, after temperatures rose above zero, Fox said. The dogs showed signs of malnutrition and appeared to be hungry and thirsty, Fox said.