(Lowell, IN) - Charges have been filed against two Michigan City men for the overheating deaths of nine dogs last summer.

 

According to Indiana State Police, the dogs were being driven from O’Hare Airport to a training facility when the cargo van they were in broke down in Lake Station.

 

Police said the dogs were to be trained as security and police dogs.

 

Michael McHenry and Jessee Urbaszewski are each charged with nine counts of animal cruelty.  Each charge could bring them as much as one year in jail.

 

Authorities said the air conditioning unit in the cargo van failed as they waited two hours in a traffic jam on Interstate 94 during 90 degree weather.

 

Police said warrants were issued for their arrests but the men failed to turn themselves in.