MERRIMACK – Wesley Golomb, 67, of Deerfield, faces a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge after he allegedly left his dog inside a car that reached 106 degrees.

At 11:43 a.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the parking lot at the Merrimack Premium Outlets for a report of a dog left unattended in a motor vehicle amid summer weather.

Responding officers located the dog, a medium build Labrador mix, panting in the rear passenger area. Although the vehicle’s windows were slightly open front and rear, an infrared temperature reading indicated an interior temperature allegedly in excess of 106 degrees. No water could be located within the vehicle and it was parked in direct sunlight.

The owner of the dog eventually returned to the vehicle and was identified as Golomb. Golomb told officers he was in the mall for only a short period of time. However, roughly 40 minutes had allegedly passed after police were initially notified. At no point in time did Golomb return to the vehicle to check on the dog. Golomb was then taken into custody for animal cruelty, a misdemeanor level offense.

Golomb was processed on the charge and released on personal recognizance bail. He is scheduled to appear on July 23 in Merrimack Circuit Court to answer the charge.

Officials encourage any and all pet owners to reconsider bringing their pets out and about for shopping excursions or errands on warm and sunny days. The interior of a vehicle can heat quite rapidly in a short amount of time which can lead to serious injury or death. When in doubt, leave pets home. It is the safe and smart choice to make.