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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSheriff Smashes Car Window to Rescue Overheated Dogs
When temperatures skyrocket, hot cars become death traps for helpless dogs. Responsible pet owners know that leaving dogs in overheated cars is a form of animal cruelty. But unfortunately, it keeps happening.
On Monday, a sheriff in Indio, Calif., discovered two dogs locked inside a Smart Car parked outside of a county court building. At the time, the outside temperature had climbed to nearly 100 degrees.
Thankfully, the sheriff acted quickly and smashed the car’s windows to rescue and retrieve the dogs. Both dogs, which are terriers, were rushed to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The temperature inside the car measured 134 degrees at the time of the rescue.
According to Riverside County Animal Services, the dogs drank immediately when they were offered water, and their body temperatures were able to regulate.
http://www.pet360.com/dog/lifestyle/sheriff-smashes-car-window-to-rescue-overheated-dogs
OP NOTE: I would do the same thing, so should you!! Please watch for this kind of abuse! People are forgetful and the animals suffer!
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SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)gerogie2
(450 posts)You should not take the law into your own hands.
doxydad
(1,363 posts)That is incorrect action!
By the time animal control shows up, those pooches could be dead. I busted out a window of a 'Starbucks Queen' who thought more of her own selfish lifestyle than her little guy.
I regret nothing, and she had to pay for damage to her own car. I never heard another word about it, and the officer who showed up 12 minutes after the call...yeah...12 minutes later, told me I was CORRECT in my actions.
Score one for this old dog!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)If your're going to call instead of act in the OP's case, you may as well report "Dead dogs in car." Under those conditions--100 outside and 134 inside --there is no time to waste.
doxydad
(1,363 posts)Reporter George Solis set out to find out just how hot it can get inside a locked car here in Florida and how quickly things can turn deadly. He took a thermometer and experienced the heat first hand.
In an hour, temperatures inside an enclosed car can spike well over 120 degrees.
Scott Tuttle, with Lee County EMS, says anyone left inside is essentially left in an oven.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/22687248/reporter-demonstrates-hot-car-dangers
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)plain and simple. I would do the same thing. I don't know how could anyone could stand and watch a trapped animal suffer and perhaps die while waiting for law enforcement.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Or not respond at all to this kind of situation...I'd smash the window, too.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)THINK about it! Think for yourself!
gerogie2
(450 posts)I know that you can't take the law into your own hands.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Do you even hear the words that are coming out of your keyboard? 
gerogie2
(450 posts)They handle all emergency situations in my city. I have no authority to do anything.
doxydad
(1,363 posts)That is incorrect. See GOOD SAMARITAN rules, they are omnipresent in any situation. Diverman has posted them, thanks.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)Many jurisdictions don't protect civilian samaritans from repercussions of their goodness, for example. I also note that
Pennsylvania doesn't appear in Divernan's linked document...
Would I break a closed car window to rescue an animal on a hot day? Probably not.
Would I break a closed car window to rescue a child on a hot day? Almost certainly yes.
1. If you break out a window, REGARDLESS OF THE AREA, what kind of judge would charge you with damaging a vehicle to rescue an animal?
NOT ONE...ANYWHERE. *
There is nothing I can find on the net about a judge that would impose some sort of punishment on a Good Samaritan. The media would have a field day and the judge would basically be done for. ( EXCEPTION": Texas...because...Gohmerting).
2. My lawyer friend just IM'd me saying that this is a universal rule. After 37 years of being a defense attorney, he told me that he would LOVE to take up the case of someone saving ANY life, ...regardless of ANY State. *
3.And on a personal OP note,, goddamnit, why wouldn't you save a life of a li'l buddy? Whatzzamattah witcha? Tell you what, this ever comes up, stand up and be that person, Orrex. Be that person!
*( See Gohmerting, above)
Orrex
(63,199 posts)And if this rule is universal, why did the linked PDF omit Pennsylvania? Ohio? Kansas?
Of course, if we're talking about a child locked in a car, that's very different, and I would almost certainly break the window. But a dog? Well, the cops will be here shortly.
treestar
(82,383 posts)about the value of life, rather than just the dollar signs.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)Look, I can't afford to live in your rose-colored pollyanna vision of the world, just for the sake of some other asshole's dog.
I value my family's well-being and security over the animal that got locked in a car. Imagine what I'd be teaching my children if I said "to hell with our lives and your future--I'm going to smash this window."
treestar
(82,383 posts)That's an extravagant assumption. And you'd teach your kids your whole life could go down the toilet for doing one good act?
Orrex
(63,199 posts)If I am subject to civil penalty as a result of breaking the window, then my finances will be crippled, and I will almost certainly lose my car. Absent a car, I will lose my job. This is not an assumption; it's a fact.
If I am subject to criminal penalty as a result of breaking the window, then I will lose my job. This is not an assumption; it's a fact.
If I lose my job, then I will be unable to maintain a car. Losing the car, it is unlikely that I will secure employment sufficient to obtain a new car. This is not an assumption; it's based on direct personal experience.
If I lose my job and my car, it is also likely that I will be unable to maintain our home. Being homeless with no car and no job, it is unlikely that I will be able to secure employment to remedy this situation. This likewise is not an assumption.
While we're at it, it would be interesting to see what the state thinks of my parental fitness while I'm languishing homeless, carless and jobless with criminal and/or civil penalties hanging over my head.
If you can guarantee that I would face no penalty for breaking that window, then I'd break it. Absent that guarantee, then I'll be happy to stand by to witness your display of heroic abandon.
treestar
(82,383 posts)2 - even if it did, it would not be that bad.
You're living in a very dreary world. By the time you get to your fourth paragraph, the exaggeration is ridiculous.
Breaking property vs. saving a life - your sense of proportion there is way off.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)If you can't cite for me the exact statute by which I could claim immunity for damaging property (the car) to access property (the animal), then you're making shit up.
I've read through several phrasings of the relevant statute, and I can find nothing that gives me the right to damage property to access an animal. Pennsylvania's law is rather more specific than you seem to want to pretend. Please cite for me the exact text that indemnifies me from liability for damaging property to access an animal.
If you can't provide that text, then please admit that you're making shit up.
It may be the case that "the penalty would not happen", and it may be the case that "it would not be that bad," but you have no basis for asserting this outside of your own wishful thinking. Your argument is based on what you hope would happen in the wake of civil and criminal action following my choice to damage someone's property.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)Orrex
(63,199 posts)And you'll also foot the bill for any related court costs and litigation?
$300 might not sound like a lot for the privilege of smashing someone's property, and if that's how you want to spend your money they I say go on with your bad self.
I'm sure that the bank will be sympathetic when I tell them why I can't pay my loan installment this month.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)I'll pay at least $300 directly to you to compensate the vehicles owners and I'm sure we could get all of your costs from any litigation pooled from few hundred DU'ers.
So, now you are covered. Feel free to break said window.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)Now find me a hot dog, and I'll break the window.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)
now you find the window
cui bono
(19,926 posts)And really, you think the person whose pets you saved would press charges? Might happen, but the odds are slim to none. At most they might demand the window be replaced.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)I've already spelled out the sequence. If I face criminal penalties for breaking the law, I lose my job first, and then my car and house in that order, once I can no longer make payments on them.
I do not enjoy a robust financial life. If I face a civil penalty for breaking the window, I will likely lose my car, after which I will lose my job (when I can no longer get there) and thereafter will lose my house.
Pennsylvania's "good samaritan" law doesn't shield me from harm for destroying someone's property (the window) to save that person's property (the dog). I will call 911 (though it's unclear that cops will break the window either) or I will notify the management of the retail site where the dog-baking car is parked (though I know from experience that they're unlikely to do anything but page the owner and/or call 911).
Are you an attorney practicing in Pennsylvania? If not, then you're simply guessing about the specific penalties that I might face, and your guesswork is meaningless.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)While there are instances of common sense being thrown to the wind in this country's judicial system, I highly doubt all of that would happen from one act of breaking a window to save a life.
Has this happened to you? Do you have a reference of this having happened to someone? If not, they you are engaging in guesswork yourself.
What is clear though, is the value you do - or do not - place on life.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)Thanks, but I'll err on the side of caution.
Court fees & attorney's fees are sufficiently burdensome to subject me to significant financial hardship, in addition to any financial judgments against me.
If I were subject to criminal penalty, I would lose my job. That's not because of statute but because of my job's requirements. I would subsequently lose my car and house when I am no longer able to make payments on them. The job market in western PA is not strong enough to make me believe that I could readily step into a job that would pay my current income.
Having gone down that road for other reasons previously, I don't care to do it again for the sake of some asshole's dog. Unless you're offering to support me and my family for the next year or two, then I invite you to shove your self-righteousness where the dog don't bark.
And even though you've provided nothing except a dose of preachy moralism, here's the relevant statute. Depending on the extent of the damage, I could face either a felony or misdemeanor charge and one to seven years in jail, plus fines.
For some asshole's dog.
Response to Orrex (Reply #100)
cui bono This message was self-deleted by its author.
doxydad
(1,363 posts)My gawd...seriously?
IF This ever comes up...ever, please grab someone who is not afraid to do the right thing. I GUARANTEE...that if indeed you do this, I will gladly come and get you out of ANY liability involved. The press will hail me as a hero, and your unfounded hand wringing worries will immediately dissipate. But PLEASE , if you feel that you cannot inject yourself to save somebody's pet, let someone who is more courageous do the job. Do not hinder that person. There's enough people like myself...millions of other caring individuals who would not think a whit before busting in to save an animal's life.
And, I sent your reply to my lawyer buddy....he agrees with me 100%.
Alas, we cannot all be heroes to animals, I understand that. I just find that truly bizarre. I hope that your financial condition improves! have a great day.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)doxydad
(1,363 posts)But brought up a great point that the ASPCA and the PA Humane Society DOES practice law there...thinking now that you worry for nothing? OK, I gotta go to work, have a great day!
pansypoo53219
(20,969 posts)
A Simple Game
(9,214 posts)animal? Has the car been there for a minute or an hour?
Would you break the window if the animal showed no signs of distress or call a cop? Would you break the window if you knew the car was the police chief's wife's car or call a cop? How about the local judge's brother's car? Do good Samaritan laws even cover animals?
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)cui bono
(19,926 posts)tsk, tsk.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)cui bono
(19,926 posts)You're asking people for proof of protection against your made up repercussions.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)They have claimed that the "good samaritan" law will protect me, but this is a lie.
They have claimed that I am unlikely to face penalty, but they have offered no evidence.
When I locked my keys in my car, 911 told me that cops won't help me break in unless a child is locked inside.
"What if there's a dog inside?" I asked.
"Not unless there's also a child," I was told.
So if the cops won't break the window, why the fuck should I listen to internet proselytizers who insist that it's a-ok to do so?
What we have is a bunch of sanctimonious keyboard moralists passing judgment on anyone who doesn't care to screw himself over for the sake of somebody else's dog.
Are you a vegan, by the way?
pipoman
(16,038 posts)Car windows are another thing...you probably won't be breaking it with your hand.
geomon666
(7,512 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)thanks you gave me first laugh of the day 
Skittles
(153,147 posts)I will kick window ass to assist you; yes INDEED
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)
?
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)7962
(11,841 posts)Boy, I hope nothing bad happens near you. You'd be no help at all.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Look, it's been decades since we covered this topic in my law school education, but I looked up this link (current - June, 2014) for you, which basically explains it in layman's terms and spells it out, state by state.
http://ggweather.com/heat/good_samaritan_laws.pdf
STATE GOOD SAMARITAN LAWS -1-
State Good Samaritan Laws
June 2014
Too many kids die in hot cars, either left behind by parents
and caregivers or by going into an unlocked car. People who
walk by a car and see a child in it alone on a warm day can
help prevent tragedies. But a survey of parents by Public
Opinion Strategies for Safe Kids showed that many people
are worried about getting involved in such an incident. Some
say they are hesitant because they fear a lawsuit.
Please don’t let that be a reason to stop you. The large
majority of states have a law giving people immunity from a
lawsuit if they act to protect a life or answer an emergency.
The keys to many of the laws are acting:
•
In good faith.
•
Not for compensation or looking for a fee.
•
Without gross negligence or misconduct.
gerogie2
(450 posts)I would do nothing more. That is what we pay the police and fire department for.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)The law does not oblige you to take action. I would like to think that this is your response to a hypothetical situation, but if you were in reality faced with another human being in danger of death, that you have enough decency and humanity to take action.
gerogie2
(450 posts)I would call 911. I'm not a trained police officer, firefighter or paramedic. I let the professionals do there job.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Nobody here would seriously suggest that only a responder has the authority and training to break a window to save a life. Nobody here is that clueless and demented.
gerogie2
(450 posts)A Davenport woman has been charged with a felony count of endangering the life and health of a child after she was allegedly left her infant son in the back seat of a vehicle in extreme heat Tuesday morning in front of a Dollar General store at 2010 36th Ave., Moline.
Police said that after someone called 911, they discovered a 6-month-old boy in a baby carrier, secured into the rear seat of a 2001 Ford Taurus.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)No doubt many people are both proud of, and defend their apathy. It's a convenient thing.
gerogie2
(450 posts)apathy is a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
I wouldn't call 911 when I saw a kid or dog in a hot car. I would just go shopping or catch the bus to go home.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)That's a creative way to rationalize a lack of relevant action... but not much else. However, no doubt you would allege enthusiasm should the need arise.
gerogie2
(450 posts)I called 911 and the police and fire department rescued the driver. I'm just so apathetic.
http://www.keizerpd.com/media_releases/Documents%5C1108680_236.htm
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)We often allege what we can to make ourselves appear better to others when necessary...
However, breaking a window takes little special training, and carries even less risk. 
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)...that it took 8 hours after joining the thread for the poster to mention it. Very strange...
sorefeet
(1,241 posts)of your comments. I hope no person or animal dies because of you. Are you scared of getting in trouble???????????????????
Goota kick this great reply, some of these DUers ain't getting the message, thanks for posting this, Divernan!
eShirl
(18,490 posts)I'm pretty sure I could live with myself knowing I took the law into my hands to save a life, rather than not damaging someone's car window.
gerogie2
(450 posts)I would call 911 and let the professionals handle it.
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)Most states have fairly strict animal cruelty laws and certainly have very strict child cruelty laws.
If you did not take action and the animal or child died or subsequently had suffered severe health issues as a result you could be prosecuted as an accomplice to animal or child cruelty. You had knowledge an animal or child was being harmed and could have taken immediate action when immediate action was needed. It is rare and not applicable in all states but it has been done in several states with success.
I wouldn't wait. I would break in the window, rescue the animals or child and do whatever I felt I had to do to save their lives up to and including giving them water, etc. When I felt I had the situation at least out of danger I would call 911 or if there were others I would have them call 911 as I was taking action.
I would never just break in the window and not call 911. One, you do want to protect yourself from prosecution or suit by ensuring your actions are part of a criminal narrative. As well if the owner/parent did it this time they may not be deterred from doing it again unless there are consequences.
gerogie2
(450 posts)If you did not take action...
I called 911. Let the professionals handle it.
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)You would honestly stand by and hope help arrives in time when you have the opportunity to save a life? God almighty...
I would let the professionals handle it.
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)Other than that, words fail me.
HangOnKids
(4,291 posts)His bait sucks
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)Hard to think anyone could be so cold and heartless.
Thanks for the heads up.
sarisataka
(18,591 posts)Would you stay there and watch the child die- or maybe be saved in time, or would you go in and continue shopping?
arcane1
(38,613 posts)hopemountain
(3,919 posts)"can't take the law into your own hands?"
there is no law that you cannot save a life.
doxydad
(1,363 posts)In an emergency, feel free to RESCUE anyone. I prefer the company of dogs over humans, but that would not stop me from RESCUING a child left in the heated car. You can , at your own will, break any window that you feel someone is in danger of dying. There's no law about not doing that. ( Already had this discussion...last summer. )
Warpy
(111,241 posts)and you could be waiting hours for animal control, less time for the cops but still too much time.
Bash that window open. If you've got a cell phone, take a picture of the occupants of the car through the intact window.
If the temperature inside the car was "only" 134F, there must have been windows cracked.
Cracking the windows is not enough. I use my car to sterilize any moths, larvae or eggs out of fleece in the summer. It kills all 3. It will kill any living creature inside it except thermophilic organisms, and those only live around volcanic vents.
dballance
(5,756 posts)It is most certainly not taking the law into one's own hands to rescue a person or animal from death. It is called humanity. Perhaps you should acquaint yourself with it.
whopis01
(3,510 posts)That is a ridiculous way to characterize such action.
You aren't breaking the window as punishment for committing a crime. You are breaking the window to save the life of the animal.
Skittles
(153,147 posts)imminent danger of death trumps protocol
cui bono
(19,926 posts)It will be too late if you wait for someone else.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)Pennsylvania doesn't appear to have such a law, so it would be unfortunate if someone broke the law based on a misunderstanding of claims made on DU.
Thanks!
whistler162
(11,155 posts)line with 911 break the window.
liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)First, I can't imagine driving such a tiny vehicle with two dogs. Can't image what that must have smelled like when they broke the window, two dogs panting from heat exhaustion? People are stupid.
Second, I wouldn't drive such a small car unless it had golf clubs attached to the back.
You don't need to rent a golf cart that way.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)I called 911 and was told that it might be 'several minutes' before an officer could respond. When I told the dispatcher that the dog was not moving, but that it was still breathing, she again said it might take several minutes for an officer to respond, as they were all handling other matters at that time. I told the dispatcher that I didn't think the dog would survive 'several minutes', and that I was going to smash the window with a broken piece of concrete lying nearby, to which she replied, "Do what you need to do". I could almost hear the 'wink, wink' in her voice.
I broke the car window, retrieved the little terrier mix, put him in the shade and poured water on him that another bystander gave me. About 15 minutes later, the police officer arrived, gave me HIS bottle of water, took our oral statements, ran the license plate, called animal control, etc. . About that time, the car's owner emerged from from a nail salon, screeching like some demented harpie about... wait for it... her broken car window!
To make a long story short, I was not arrested, she was arrested (felony animal abuse), the dog was rushed to a vet, survived and was later adopted.
Don't be afraid to do the right thing-- ever!
doxydad
(1,363 posts)My rescue was not nearly as dramatic, but the li'l guy was saved, and that's the bottom line here. Thanks for educating the DUers today!
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)You did a wonderful thing and saved that poor little pooch. So glad the twit who left the poor dog in her car was arrested. I hope she got to spend some time cooling her heels in jail.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)She plead guilty as part of a plea bargain, and received 4 years' probation (the maximum in IL), a $1000 fine, restitution for the vet bills and adoption fee, and a lifetime ban on owning any domesticated animal. Her story also received a LOT of press coverage.
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)I bet (and hope) the press coverage made it hell for her. Good for IL.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)We have our problems, but that's one statistic most of us are VERY proud of.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)A person parked outside our apartment building. When they didn't come back for a while, and the dog was suffering, we called the police. They pried the door.
tomm2thumbs
(13,297 posts)Indio is like an oven on earth... wtf were they even thinking?!!
doxydad
(1,363 posts)The rescue I was involved in was a Cadillac. So, I don't really care about the vehicle size, per se, as long as you get that l'il guy outa the oven!
Fairgo
(1,571 posts)How one responds to this straightforward ethical hypothet is a pretty clear indicator of their moral development. It doesn't matter whose dog, breed of dog, age of dog, make of car, or status of the owner. All that matters is the end of suffering and the preservation of life. If no other solution is at the ready, the window goes. How society treats the window breaker is a clear i dicator of the moral development of the society itself.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)I applaud every good cop that saves a dog, and scorn every bad one who shoots someone's pet.
KinMd
(966 posts)
MynameisBlarney
(2,979 posts)I take my dog to work with me every day, and if I stop at a store, I leave the windows open and I make a point of not leaving her in the car for more than a couple of minutes. If the line at the register is too long, I leave.
tularetom
(23,664 posts)DRoseDARs
(6,810 posts)
CherokeeDem
(3,709 posts)at the posters here who place their own inconvenience over the lives of human or animal. To even think there is enough time to wait for police (or animal control) is irrational. As divernan states, it comes down to 'good faith' and in my opinion the right thing to do.
Years ago, I was in downtown where I live, walking toward my car, when I saw a crowd gathered around a car parked in front of a restaurant. As I got closer I realized people were trying to get the doors open because there was a dog inside, barely responding to them. Someone came out of the restaurant with some large pipe-like thing and began to pound on the side window. He was a slight young man and wasn't making much progress when someone spotted a mounted police officer and flagged him down. The policeman had about a foot in height and fifty pounds on the guy, he took the pipe and in a couple of whacks had the window broken and grabbed the dog, a terrier. Someone from the restaurant brought out ice water and towels, wrapping the little guy in cold towels and after a few minutes, the dog began to respond and drank a bit of water.
The officer started to call for animal control, but a cruiser pulled up and offered to take the dog to the vet. One of the servers from the restaurant rode with him, carrying the dog. The mounted officer asked the crowd a few questions, 'Did you search for the car owner?' They had. 'Did you call 9-11?' They had, that's why the cruiser showed up.' The officer then said, you did everything correctly and if this should ever happen again, send someone to look for the car owner, call us, then do what you have to do.
If you have any compassion for living creatures (human or animal) you will do what you have to do.
MissDeeds
(7,499 posts)So many people came forward to help that poor dog, it warms my heart.
Thanks for sharing.
nilesobek
(1,423 posts)You smash the idiot's window with no regard for his personal property as he has forfeited those rights, IMO, when he left a child or dog in a hot car. I would cease to be concerned at all for the owner's feelings and "rights."
Who cares about a night or two in jail? If you haven't been in jail in America yet, you are just not getting out enough.
In a way its satisfying to know that the car owner's property has been properly smashed, that he will go to jail, that he will have to pay for expensive auto windows.
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)If it is an 80 degree day and the car is in the shade and the animal/child don't appear too distressed you MIGHT risk calling 911 and waiting.
But I would suggest you need to go with your gut feel. If you think the animal/child are in imminent risk of serious harm or death you break in the window.
In some states, failure to act could in fact place you in jeopardy of being charged with being an accomplice to child or animal cruelty.
You must take whatever action is necessary in an emergency situation.
Trust me if you break in a car window and rescue an animal or child, when 911 comes they will document what happened. The driver/owner, etc. will the one charged with animal or child cruelty. Only an absolutely insane DA would charge you with a crime.
COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)This is the second time you've made this categorical statement. Please provide me with cites to cases that have charged a person as being an accomplice to child or animal cruelty by failing to break into a parked car. I'd love to see the law.
Rex
(65,616 posts)I couldn't live with myself, knowing something is suffering and dying and I can do something about it, but won't! That smashed window will be the least of the car owners problems.
doxydad
(1,363 posts)
2banon
(7,321 posts) Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)newton2207
(1 post)I witnessed a guy who parked at a gas station to take a tinkle in the bathroom. I stopped him and said if his dog was going to be ok in the car? He said he'll only be a few minutes cause he had to go take a whiz. I saw he rolled down the windows half way, sunroof half way back and had water for the dog. I decided to keep an eye on the vehicle just in case.
Shortly after a Chevy Suv pulled up and this guy gets out to look at the dog in the car. He asks where is the owner? I told him he went inside to use the bathroom. He literally flipped out about it being against the law and he was going to call 911.
Sure enough after 5 minutes the owner comes out and is confronted by the man in the SUV. The SUV driver basically told the owner of the dog that he should break his windows or lock him inside the car to see how he likes it. And there was absolutely no excuse to leave the dog inside the car as it against the law. I told the guy to take it easy since he was using the bathroom and he told me to shutup.
So really guys....I am really happy the Sheriff was able to save the dogs in the above case. But in this case....what gives? I typically would side on an animal lover wanting to save animals but in this case the hero seems like a bully. SUV driver is probably an animal lover and wants to play hero where dog owner just needed to goto the bathroom and I get that. But the SUV driver's tone of voice was almost threatening. I could tell because the dog suddenly started barking at him. Luckily the attendant told both of them to leave the premises which diffused the situation. I mean that could have turned into a situation where gun control and gun rights advocates could have had it out but thankfully cooler heads prevailed.
It seems instead of solving the problem we pit people against people. And americans vs. americans isn't a pretty sight considering we fight hard in foreign wars. Police officers I have to say are really great as I have seen them explain laws in a professional manner and I think calling 911 would be my first bet. There is really no hard answer.....Some owners will say leave the dog home....then split off to crate the dog or don't crate the dog. Some people have dogs when they don't have air conditioning in their apartments and they leave for work. And on the other side I get people who drive their dogs to the beach or to a park and need to use the bathroom or they want to refill the water for the dog so they'd like to leave them in a secure place (but not for too long).
Some laws say extreme heat and extreme cold. So what temperature is that exactly? I read a pitbull who died in 15 below because his ignorant owner left him outside. Then you read siberian huskies can work up to 75 degrees below fahrenheit (Blame the Inuit eskimos as they started that). Then there are coyote's and dingos that live in the desert where it gets to a sweltering 113 degrees.
And lets not even talk about dogs traveling in commercial airline cargo holds.
Looks like massive education is needed, clear laws and more dog friendly places. I hope there will come a time where we can take dogs inside with us like dog friendly malls.
