People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Wednesday supported charges against a man this week in the death of a dog chained outside.

“The (Halifax County) sheriff’s office was right to take action, and with scorching temperatures and oppressive humidity in the forecast this week, PETA hopes this case will serve as a wake-up call: If you don’t want your dogs to suffer and die under the hot sun as sweet Star did, bring them indoors,” said the organization’s Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch.

The sheriff’s office said on Monday Detective Sergeant R.G. Jenkins met with officials from PETA and opened an animal cruelty case for a deceased dog found in Halifax County.  

After following up with interviews and examining evidence, Ernest Mannix Barber, 50, of Joy Drive, Roanoke Rapids, was charged and arrested with one count of felonious killing of an animal by starvation and two counts of violating the county’s tethering ordinance.

He posted a $10,000 bond and received a July 22 court date.

A PETA fieldworker found the dog, Star, dead of heatstroke, on May 28.

Nachminovitch said as temperatures rise, backyard dogs can experience multisystem organ failure, brain damage, and death within minutes. Anyone who sees dogs without access to shade or drinkable water should report it to authorities immediately — if they’re unresponsive, witnesses should call 757-622-PETA.