State-News

STAFFORD, Va. (AP) _ Two women who left two dogs in back of a rental truck in Fredericksburg in 80-degree weather have been banned from owning a companion animal for three years. The dogs were retrieved from the back of the overheated truck last July but had to be put down.

The Free Lance-Star (http://bit.ly/1jRUGrh ) reported Friday that the area women were convicted of animal cruelty charges in Stafford County General District Court. Besides the pet ban, both were ordered to pay veterinarian bills. One of the defendants appealed her conviction, delaying her punishment.

County prosecutor Kristin Bird said both women loved their animals but made a “horrible” mistake.