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Carrboro woman charged in service dog's death

Carrboro police have filed charges against an employee of a service animal training organization who allegedly left a dog in her car for two hours last month.

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CARRBORO, N.C. — Carrboro police have filed charges against an employee of a service animal training organization who allegedly left a dog in her car for two hours last month. 

Worthy, a 2-year-old golden retriever, died of heatstroke. 

Debra Cunningham, 42, of 155 Viburnum Way in Carrboro, faces one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. She is due in court Aug. 8.

Police said Cunningham, program director of Eyes, Ears, Nose and Paws, left Worthy in her car with the windows rolled up around noon on June 10 while she worked at the organization's office on Lloyd Street.

When she returned to the car, the dog was panting and unconscious. Veterinarians attempted to revive Worthy, but the animal died the next day.

EENP has declined to comment on any disciplinary action taken against Cunningham but said it was evaluating its "operating procedures, personnel and training standards, taking whatever steps we deem necessary, to ensure our dogs’ safety, health, and wellbeing."

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