Left: French bulldog Tori (Lori Kemmerer/Facebook). Right: Kimani Marshall (Harnett County Sheriff’s Office)
According to police in North Carolina, a FedEx driver stole a French bulldog and left her in his hot delivery truck, where she eventually perished. He is currently serving a jail sentence for the crime.
Kimani Marshall, 44, is accused of animal cruelty, possessing stolen goods or property, and stealing a dog. According to detectives with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, on July 3, while on his route, Marshall allegedly stole a $5,500 tan and white dog named Tori. The dog had apparently gotten loose. After that, he carried on delivering packages.
“Investigators believe that K-9 Tori died due to heat related issues as she traveled inside the FEDEX truck as temperatures were reportedly in the 90’s,” Sheriff Wayne Coats declared in a report.
On July 10, the dog’s body was found by police. The owner of the dog and Marshall were acquainted. According to Coats, Marshall had inquired about the owner’s interest in breeding the dog, but she had turned him down.
Marshall appeared in person on Monday at the Harnett County Detention Center. Since then, he’s posted a bond for $50,000.
Marshall has left FedEx, according to a statement from the company.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family on the loss of their beloved pet,” the statement declared. “We understand the importance of people’s pets in their lives and deeply regret the pain that this has caused. The driver is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx.”
On her Facebook page, the owner posted updates about her desperate hunt for the dog. She stated that on July 3rd evening, the Tori had escaped.
We are, to put it mildly, devastated. It’s impossible for Tori to endure the heat outside. I sincerely hope that she gets picked up. Kindly assist me in finding Tori,” she wrote.
According to the owner, Tori had a microchip that indicated someone had picked her up. On July 10, police called her to report that they had discovered the dog dead by the side of the road. She then informed her Facebook friends that the case had resulted in the issuance of an arrest warrant.
“The Fed Ex scum was charged with two felonies and cruelty to an animal,” she noted.
