Dog perishes inside sweltering automobile parked outside Pennsylvania casino, owner faces felony animal abuse charges.
Last week, a tragic incident unfolded in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, where a pit bull mix named Gucci died after being left unattended in a hot car outside Parx Casino. The incident occurred on a hot day last weekend, with temperatures nearing 90 degrees, a common occurrence during the unusually hot summer of 2025 in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
The tragic incident has brought renewed attention to the dangers of leaving children and animals unattended in vehicles, especially during hot weather. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both children and animals are at a high risk of heat stroke in such situations. Cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open, and a non-running parked vehicle on a 90-degree day can quickly reach temperatures of 130 degrees within an hour.
In response to such incidents, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) launched a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in 2022 called "Don't Gamble With Kids" to prevent children from being left unattended in vehicles outside casinos. The PGCB's Exclusion List is another enforcement tool used to bar individuals from all forms of gambling across the state as a penalty for violations, including leaving children unattended near or in casino premises.
Andrew DeShield, the man accused of leaving Gucci unattended, is now facing three felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing death, along with several misdemeanors for cruelty and neglect of an animal. DeShield was previously convicted of felony counts of drug possession with the intent to manufacture and/or distribute, as shown in Pennsylvania court records.
The PGCB's Exclusion List functions as a strict lifetime ban from all Pennsylvania gambling venues, intended to prevent child endangerment and uphold responsible gambling standards across the state. Cases involving adults leaving young children or animals unattended in vehicles at casino parking lots have resulted in lifetime exclusion from all Pennsylvania-regulated gambling activities.
Since the launch of the PGCB's PSA, three adults have been placed on the Exclusion List for leaving children unattended in vehicles. Over 1,400 individuals have been placed on these lists due to various infractions, including child neglect, fraud, and licensing violations.
The article was last updated on July 2, 2025, at 06:32h, and the tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the dangers of leaving animals unattended in hot vehicles.
[1] Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) - Don't Gamble with Kids PSA: https://www.pgcb.pa.gov/industry-services/marketing-advertising/responsible-gambling/dont-gamble-with-kids/
[2] Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) - Exclusion List: https://www.pgcb.pa.gov/industry-services/licensees/exclusion-list/
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Heatstroke in Children: https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/childpassengerSafety/heatstroke/index.html
- Despite the tragedy at Parx Casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where an unattended child was left in a hot car, the casino continues to offer a variety of casino games, big-wins, and casino-and-gambling experiences often associated with cities like Las Vegas.
- The incident has sparked discussions about responsible gambling trends and the roles of casino personalities in promoting a responsible gambling culture, considering the presence of general news on crime and justice.
- The unfortunate event has also highlighted the dangers of unattended children and animals in vehicles during hot weather, a topic that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has addressed through educational resources, such as their heatstroke in children page.
- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has responded to such incidents by launching PSAs like "Don't Gamble with Kids" and maintaining an Exclusion List for individuals who violate responsible gambling standards or endanger children and animals.
- Gucci, the pit bull mix that died after being left unattended in a hot car outside Parx Casino, is one of three cases resulting in lifetime exclusion from all Pennsylvania-regulated gambling activities.
- Andew Dealshield, the person accused of neglecting the unattended child, now faces criminal charges stemming from the incident, as well as his previous felony convictions for drug-related offenses.
- The Exclusion List functions as a strict lifetime ban from all Pennsylvania gambling venues, aiming to prevent child endangerment and uphold responsible gambling standards across the state.
- After the launch of the PGCB's "Don't Gamble with Kids" PSA, three individuals have been placed on the Exclusion List for leaving children unattended in vehicles.
- On top of the 3 people, over 1,400 individuals have been placed on the Exclusion List due to various infractions, including child neglect, fraud, and licensing violations.
- As the summer heat wave continues, it is crucial to prioritize pet ownership responsibility by never leaving animals unattended in vehicles, regardless of the gambling trends and casino culture that may accompany establishments like Parx Casino.
