Breeder arrested after seven puppies left inside hot car in Apex

Authorities arrested a dog breeder over the weekend in Apex after they said she left seven puppies in a hot car.

According to an arrest warrant from the Apex Police Department, 41-year-old Whitney Tierra Johnson of Medford, New Jersey, left seven French bulldog puppies in a hot vehicle that was not running, did not have air conditioning and had its windows closed.

The warrants said Johnson had covered a tub the puppies were in while she went inside a restaurant to eat and then to a Starbucks for coffee. According to police, the puppies were in that condition between 30 and 45 minutes.

Johnson disputed the accusations, saying the climate inside the car was “controlled,” adding she had a fan on inside, a window was open and the temperature inside was set at 89 degrees, which she said is required for the puppies.

Johnson said the dogs are also more than an investment to her, adding she cares for them and their mother.

"They lied. I would not lock my child into a hot car, so why would I do that to my puppies?" she said. "These are my babies. We would never do that. We love our animals."

Johnson said she’s been breeding French bulldogs for five years, adding each French bulldog pup costs $7,500 each.

"I don't know why anyone would think I would throw my investment in the trash," she said.

Police said the puppies were in “obvious distress.” They were struggling with breathing and one was temporarily unresponsive. They took them to Wake County Animal Services, where one of them was euthanized.

On Tuesday, the Apex Police Department said two of the puppies were placed inside an oxygen chamber because they were showing signs of respiratory complications.

Johnson said the dogs were not in the car when officers arrived because she was bathing them after they had soiled themselves.

Apex police officers arrested Johnson and charged her with seven misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. The surviving six puppies are in Wake County’s custody.

Johnson said the officers never asked her for a statement and took the word of a bystander. Apex Police Chief Jason Armstrong said officers spoke with Johnson and the witnesses.

"They had an extensive conversation with the owner of the dogs and the witnesses on the scene," he said.

Johnson believes police body camera footage will clear her name. According to Johnson, the puppies were playing with the officers and did not show signs of heat exhaustion, but Armstrong refuted her claims.

"I'm not aware of the officers playing with the dogs. I can't speak [on that]," he said.

Her first court appearance is on Thursday, Aug. 1.