Stolen French Bulldog dies in hot truck while FedEx driver continued making deliveries: Sheriff

LILLINGTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- A FedEx driver in Harnett County is facing animal cruelty charges after the sheriff's office said he took a French Bulldog during a delivery and left it in his truck where it later died.

The dog, named Tori, was a championship show dog worth $5,500, according to court documents.

Harnett County investigators said the FedEx driver, Kimani Joehon Marshall, and Tori's owner knew each other. That's because before the incident, Marshall asked about breeding Tori with one of his dogs. Tori's owner reportedly declined that proposal.

Then on July 3, Tori somehow got loose from her yard. For days her family searched nearby woods and posted flyers up around town.

Then on July 7, Harnett County Sheriff's Office found Tori dead.

Investigators believe Marshall snatched Tori while on his route for FedEx. He then kept her in his truck as he finished his deliveries, but due to the high temperatures inside the truck, Tori died.

Marshall turned himself in on July 22 where he was charged with larceny of a dog, possession of stolen property and cruelty to animals.

He is in the Harnett County Detention Center on a $50,000 secured bond.

FedEx released this statement to ABC11 about the incident:

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family on the loss of their beloved pet. 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."