48-year-old Ezra Johnson, pastor of the Greater Bethel Church of God in Christ in Union City, TN, left his dog inside his car as he went shopping inside the Opry Mills Mall in late September. Officers responded to a call for service regarding a dog locked inside a vehicle. Mall security opened the vehicle, and officers estimated the inside temperature to be over 100 degrees. The dog did not have water, had a muzzle on, and had been inside the car for over 20 minutes. Johnson told officers that he was in the mall shopping. Johnson was cited for animal cruelty and was booked on the citation this week.
Union City Pastor Ezra Johnson charged with animal cruelty after leaving dog in car while shopping
