Dog’s handler charged with cruelty to animals

The handler of a state Department of Corrections drug dog that died in July has been charged with cruelty to animals.

Chad Holland, of Lock Haven, was charged Tuesday after a criminal investigation found Totti, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador, was deprived “of necessary sustenance, drink ... and access to cool and proper shelter,” according to state police at Rockview.

The dog died after being left in a car on a hot day for several hours, prompting a Department of Corrections investigation, a protest at the courthouse and an online petition demanding someone be fired for the death.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 10:31 PM with the headline "Dog’s handler charged with cruelty to animals."