County Animal Services officials reported that Becky, a purebred Cavalier King Spaniel was missing, along with the rental car in which she was abandoned near the San Diego airport by a mentally ill tourist.

Becky was traveling from Chicago who had driven to San Diego on his way to Arizona in a 1995 blue Ford Taurus from "Rent-A-Wreck" cars.

The un-named tourist parked the car at the harbor by "the big ship" and walked around Harbor Drive but then became disoriented and confused, and instead of going back to the car, he went to the airport and boarded his plan home.

The dog, who belonged to the man's sister, was left in the car but the sister did not know that until the man returned home.  The authorities were notified and two days later the car was found with Becky dead inside.  Her leash had become entangled which kept her on the floor of the car so passersby never knew she was trapped inside.  Becky most likely died from heat exhaustion.

The case attracted a lot of media attention especially trying to find the dog.  The mentally ill tourist loved the dog and was devastated over the dogs death.  The District Attorney did not prosecute but did get the tourist to agree to never own another dog.

Reference:

Department of Animal Services, San Diego County

North Country Times