EASTPOINTE, Mich. -- A dog groomer accused of killing two German shepherds by leaving them in a hot car was arraigned in an Eastpointe courtroom on animal cruelty charges Friday.

Jennifer Rainey told police it was a stranger who closed her truck’s windows on Aug. 7, causing heat to build and kill the two German shepherds dogs inside.

Rainey said she left her dog, Ranger, and another dog, Cassidy, in the truck while she took another dog, Rebel, inside the Eastpointe Animal Hospital on 9 Mile Road to show coworkers that he had just been certified as a therapy dog.

Rainey said the dogs were inside their own crates in the back of the truck, something she's done several times before. Rainey said the weather was mild and both dogs had water.

"These are show dogs. These are competition dogs. They've been in this truck all the time," Rainey said.

After 30 minutes, Rainey said she checked on the dogs and noticed that someone had closed the truck's side window.

"We opened up the tailgate and pulled the dogs out as fast as we could, but they were already gone. I miss my dog and nothing's going to bring either one of them back," Rainey said.

Eastpointe Lt. Leo Borowsky said many people warned Rainey about potential consequences of leaving the dogs in her truck under those conditions.

Borowsky said he also believes its important to inform the public about the situation because some pet owners may not be aware of the risks of putting pets in those conditions.

Cassidy's owner, Jennifer Doty, said she had been planning to take her dog for her 8-month photos but is now having to say good-bye.

"I was so excited to see her grow up," Doty said.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office authorized misdemeanor charges of animal abandonment and cruelty against Rainey on Monday.

After the arraignment Friday, Rainey was released on a $10,000 personal bond.

If convicted, she could spend up to a year in jail and a $500 fine.