Owner faces charges after puppy left in hot van dies

A puppy left for hours in a van at Ford City Mall died Tuesdayafternoon -- strangled by its leash as it thrashed around in theheat.

Authorities charged Coret Cruz, of the 4300 block of WestMarquette, with cruelty to an animal. He faces a fine of up to $500and six months in jail if convicted, according to Cleo Cavin, asupervisor with Chicago Animal Care and Control.

Cruz, 26, could not be reached for comment.

"It was an extremely critical situation for the dog to be in thecar," said Mark Dygan, the supervising veterinarian for Animal Careand Control.

According to a witness who declined to be named, the …