Beaver County, Pennsylvania – On June 15, a Beaver County woman tethered her Husky, Noki, outside and left the dog chained with a muzzle on his face…it was the hottest day of the year and Noki had no water or access to shade. The tether prevented him from escaping the 90+ degree heat, and the muzzle kept him from being able to cool himself, even moderately, through panting.
When officers arrived at 29-year-old Di Xiao’s home in Baden, Noki was on the ground and in “severe distress” from the extreme heat. When questioned about the dog being left outside to suffer, Xiao stared at the officer blankly.
After Noki was taken to a veterinary hospital, the veterinarian explained that he had “cooked from the inside,” with an internal temperature so high that there was initially no reading on the thermometer – when his temperature started to fall, it finally registered at 109 degrees. At this point, Noki was seizing and bleeding because the intense heat caused his organs to shut down. The only option was humane euthanasia.
Beaver County Humane Officer Tristan Wenzig said, “If a dog is left outside for a long period of time, just like a human being without proper shelter, food and water, you’re going to have your internal organs cook.”
Neighbor Eda Giordani, who had called animal control on Noki’s behalf in the past, told CBS News:
“She is responsible for the death of that dog. Absolutely in my mind.”
Xiao is facing two felony charges of aggravated cruelty to an animal and four misdemeanor counts of cruelty and neglect to animals. She violated Pennsylvania’s Libre’s Law which stipulates that dogs must have access to shade and water when outside, and specifies that they cannot be left outdoors for more than 30 minutes in potentially dangerous weather conditions.
Please add your name to the petition as we fight for justice on behalf of this innocent dog who was left to suffer and die because of Di Xiao’s cruel negligence.
We the undersigned demand that Di Xiao be held responsible for causing her dog, Noki, to suffer fatal heatstroke. We are petitioning for Xiao to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law, in addition to being prohibited from owning or residing with animals in the future.
Note: Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
News:
Update 5/16/2023: Petition Update 5/16/2023: Animal Victory spoke to the ADA. The trial is postponed to July. Please continue to sign the petition.
Update 2/27/2023: Animal Victory sent a cover letter and petition to the judge.
Update 1/20/2023: The trial has been set for 03/06/2023 at 8:30 a.m. Case # CP-04-CR-0001000-2022
Update 9/13/2022: The pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 19, 2022, at 1:35 p.m. Pre-trial is set for October 6, 2022, at 1:35 p.m. Trial will begin on October 31, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.
Update 8/4/2022: Animal Victory has been in communication with Prosecuting Attorney Angela Strathman. She has told us she has our petition and they plan to fight fair and appropriately considering the seriousness of the offense. Please continue to sign and share this petition. The next court date is 8/17/2022.
Update 7/18/2022: Animal Victory has sent 18,200 signatures to Prosecuting Attorney Angela Strathman.
Update 6/28/2022: Defendant Xiao, Di, the court date is 8/17/2022 at 1:00 pm, Beaver County PA Common Pleas Court. Case # CP-04-CR-0001000-2022
Xiao_ Di Case Summary
Prior Signatures 20,231