A Las Vegas dog trainer has been arrested after a 1½-year-old English Bulldog named Taco died following a training session.

Michael Martenies, owner of Sit Means Sit Dog Training, faces a charge of willful and malicious torture of an animal resulting in death.

Police said Taco had breathing issues and was scheduled for surgery. After a brief training session, he was placed in a van with a malfunctioning climate-control system and later died after showing signs of severe distress.

A veterinary necropsy determined that Taco died from heat stroke and multisystem organ failure. Martenies is scheduled to appear in court on September 10.

cbsaustin.com