Dogs in cars

[luvofallhorses]

You should call the police. It's animal cruelty and prosecutable, at least here.

I agree with Karen. nobody brings their dogs in the heat anywhere here unattended. we usually don't let the dogs go for car rides until it's way cooler in the evening and they usually don't get to go out and play until the evening, they just get potty breaks.

and with all the smoke we've been having from fires, it's too risky to have the dogs out in the heat, let alone the smoke. I would definately call the police because it IS animal cruelty and unacceptable.

[Lady's Human]

Okay, I NEVER said anything about leaving the vehicle running with the A/C on. What I stated was that the vehicle was cool inside as the A/C HAD been on.

While I'm clarifying things here, it is NOT a 5 minute trip to anywhere from here. To go up into town to get the aforementioned gallon of milk takes 20-25 minutes. That being the case, if we need something quick, and Lady is with me as we went wherever, even just on a ride for the heck of it, it's getting picked up on the way home. The chances of my getting detained/delayed inside a store are slim to none.

If I had a heart attack, and no one else was with me, would it REALLY matter where I was with the dog? You can come up with what if scenarios for damned near anything. If you're that worried about what if, it must be tough to leave the house in the morning.

[Jessika]

While I agree with the notion, I don't necessarily agree with the course of action.

I feel it would be better to leave a leaflet or a note under their windshield wiper and then call the local authorities. I see Lady's Human's point and do agree to an extent.

I agree 100% about your notion, but maybe just not about the stickers. I think it's a good idea, just maybe not the best way to go about doing it. While they may be breaking the law, you never know that one person could pin you for vandalism, and unfortunately that would probably get more attention and you'd get in a lot of trouble. Just leaving a sticker and going about your business will annoy the person, but chances are they won't learn anything from the experience. Calling the cops is a much better way of handling it, I think, because even if they don't think it's a "big deal" to leave their pets in an unattended car in the heat, I'm sure most people don't want to get into any legal trouble and will probably learn some sort of lesson, if not think twice before doing it the next time. And also, there's no way that you can be legally in trouble for anything (vandalism, etc).

I know here if I were to do something like that, even if the dogs were suffering, if the cops were called and both parties were present (myself and the owners of the dogs) I know that they would get a slap on the wrist and I would get a fine for vandalism. It's sad, but unfortunately that's just how it would happen here.

That having been said, yes, I have left my dogs in the cars with windows cracked while I ran inside a store or did whatever. I would never do it in a heat wave, even for a minuite, and I would be smart about it. But I don't think when I do it it would be considered "animal cruelty" or "neglect". So yes, I do it, have done it, and will continue to do so, but at the same time if I know I'm going to be making a couple of stops along the way and it's super hot out then I won't bring my dogs. Period.

However on kind of the same note, I have a word document saved on my comp for when we have visitors staying in our apartment complex that don't know how to park... Every time I come home to work to find there aren't any available parking spots because some IDIOTS don't know how to park properly, I run upstairs, print a few off, and slap them under their wipers...

[caseysmom]

Okay, I NEVER said anything about leaving the vehicle running with the A/C on. What I stated was that the vehicle was cool inside as the A/C HAD been on.

While I'm clarifying things here, it is NOT a 5 minute trip to anywhere from here. To go up into town to get the aforementioned gallon of milk takes 20-25 minutes. That being the case, if we need something quick, and Lady is with me as we went wherever, even just on a ride for the heck of it, it's getting picked up on the way home. The chances of my getting detained/delayed inside a store are slim to none.

If I had a heart attack, and no one else was with me, would it REALLY matter where I was with the dog? You can come up with what if scenarios for damned near anything. If you're that worried about what if, it must be tough to leave the house in the morning.

I don't really think you need to explain yourself anyone on here that knows you at all knows you are careful with lady.

[Catlady711]

While I am a cat owner not a dog owner, I do have some cats that like to travel with me. I go with the theory that I don't leave my animals in a car any longer than I'D like to be left in a car.

I have taken Pooky and Dusty before with me and have had to stop for a very short stop (usually a very quick potty break) on the way in the summertime (2-5 minutes max, parked in the shade). I only crack the windows a very tiny bit (so not to let the cool air out) and I run my A/C on MAX up until I have to make my stop (to the point I'm almost freezing) so the car is good and cold and never take long enough at a stop that I'D be uncomfortable with staying in the vehicle myself.

If it's too hot for me to sit in the car without A/C for a few minutes, it's too hot for my pets!

The few stops I've had to make with the cats the car was not even stuffy when I got back in and I was perfectly comfortable checking on the cats and getting my things together before starting the car and getting the A/C going again without sweating.

While it's not possible for a common passerby to know that if they were to have walked by and saw my cats, it would be obvious from looking at them that they were not in any kind of distress or panting in any way. Even if they pried my doors open (which they wouldn't have time to do before I got back) they would find a comfortably cool car, cool fur and cool foot/nose pads.

I would never subject my cats to anything I wouldn't tolerate myself.

[shais_mom]

I don't really think you need to explain yourself anyone on here that knows you at all knows you are careful with lady.

I think he does feel the need to defend himself as do I b/c of....
these comments....

Excuse me. But are you people not reading what I posted about leaving a dog in the car with the AC on?

I agree completely. Anybody dumb enough to leave an animal alone in a
running car, deserves to have the cops come and talk to them about being
more responsible. (assuming the A/C is on)

Like my local PD told me THERE IS NO CURE FOR STUPID

People need to THINK THINGS THROUGH THINK OF ALL THE POSSIBILTIES THAT COULD GO WRONG NOT JUST ONE. WHY IS IT NOT OK TO LEAVE A BABY OR A CHILD IN THE CAR WITH THE AC ONE FOR 2-3 MINTUES BUT IT IS OK TO LEAVE A DOG?

actually - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...lyShow_3109965
that's not entirely true - leaving children in cars is also now becoming an epidemic - don't assume that its just animals people don't care about.
I think we both have reason to defend the fact that we enjoy traveling with our dog.
And I'm sorry - I'm going to be a &itch here and do it - but does anyone remember our own PT member that traveled from one coast to another with a dozen cats and a dog in car? And LH chops are getting busted for running in and getting a gallon of milk - HYPOTHETICALLY.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I agree this is the best course of action, as using sticky lables could be construed as vehicle vandalism regardless of how good your intentions are. Just a thought.

That doesn't bother me one bit - in fact it would highlight the whole issue again....

I have the number for the RSPCA, the Dog Warden and the police programmed into my phone and won't hesitate to give them a call

[Lady's Human]

Let me get this straight........

If I go into a store for a couple minutes to get, for instance, a gallon of milk, and leave Lady in the truck, which has had the A/C running, and is fairly cool, you feel that it is alright to vandalize my truck?

Sorry, I'd press charges in a heartbeat.

[Denyce]

I wouldn't vandalize your truck however you are taking a chance that what you are doing could jeopardize the health of your dog and is just a stupid thing to do. In heat it is best to take the dog home and then go out of the gallon of milk later. If you truly care about your pet this is what you would do.

In 2003, a police dog in Tx died after the AC in the patrol car shut down and began blowing hot air. The air system's compressor kicked off because the engine got too hot. Many cars, including modern models with computerized functions, are prone to the same problem. In August 2004, a NC couple lost 2 of their beloved dogs, and nearly lost their 3rd dog as a result of a similar failure. They had left bowls of water and ice in the car, and the AC on, during their shopping trip of less than 30 minutes.

I got the above information from an article on a website at http://www.paw-rescue.org/paw/pettip...ip_Hotcars.php

I am going to court tomorrow afternoon here in State College as a witness because a woman left her dog in the car in order to eat dinner at Applebees. It was 80 degrees outside and the windows were only cracked about a 1/4 of an inch. There was water in the car but the schnauzer was in distress. I located her in the restaurant and explained to her why she had to go out and deal with her dog NOW. She refused so I called the police. They were there in 10 minutes and hauled her out of the restaurant to deal with the situation. They "arrested" her which is basically a summery offense or ticket. She pled (sp?)not guilty so I was subpeoned and I appear in court at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. I can't wait. I hope she shows up since she had MD plates on the car.

So if you care about your pets at all you either leave them at home when it is over 65 degrees or have someone else with you to stay with the pet in the car while you get your milk. Or you risk the wrath of people who do care for your dog more than you do. Period. End of story. No if ands or buts about it.

If you would like some information about how the temp in a car ramps up in the heat check out this one from GM

http://ggweather.com/heat/

[pitc9]

Let me get this straight........

If I go into a store for a couple minutes to get, for instance, a gallon of milk, and leave Lady in the truck, which has had the A/C running, and is fairly cool, you feel that it is alright to vandalize my truck?

Sorry, I'd press charges in a heartbeat.

You'd press charges because someone may have just saved the life of your pet??

IMO, to call that vandalism is going a bit far, it's more like being heroic.

If I ever had a major brain fart and left my dogs in a hot car I'd appreciate that a human with a brain and a big heart for animals came along and got my dogs out of the car and saved their lives.
(then that person could slap me upside the head a few times.)

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

You'd press charges because someone may have just saved the life of your pet??

IMO, to call that vandalism is going a bit far, it's more like being heroic.

If I ever had a major brain fart and left my dogs in a hot car I'd appreciate that a human with a brain and a big heart for animals came along and got my dogs out of the car and saved their lives.
(then that person could slap me upside the head a few times.)

I second that...matter of fact I would probably slap myself when they were done for being so STUPID.

[lizbud]

You'd press charges because someone may have just saved the life of your pet??

IMO, to call that vandalism is going a bit far, it's more like being heroic.

If I ever had a major brain fart and left my dogs in a hot car I'd appreciate that a human with a brain and a big heart for animals came along and got my dogs out of the car and saved their lives.
(then that person could slap me upside the head a few times.)

I agree completely. Anybody dumb enough to leave an animal alone in a
running car, deserves to have the cops come and talk to them about being
more responsible. (assuming the A/C is on)

I would definately call the police anytime I found a dog in a closed car
in hot weather.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Let me get this straight........

If I go into a store for a couple minutes to get, for instance, a gallon of milk, and leave Lady in the truck, which has had the A/C running, and is fairly cool, you feel that it is alright to vandalize my truck?

Sorry, I'd press charges in a heartbeat.

I think Brody's Mum is talking about people leaving their vehicles with their pet in them without A/C, just leaving the windows open a crack.

I am sure most of us have gone in a store when a dog was sitting in a parked car, no A/C and the dog still be sitting there when you come back out quite some time later.

I myself have left my dog in the car just to grab a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread....but my car is always left running and the A/C cranked up. There is a BIG DIFFERENCE in circumstances!!

EDIT: LET ME CLARIFY, NOT RUNNING IN A GROCIERY STORE, JUST PULLING UP IN FRONT OF THE GAS STATION AND RUNNING IN FOR MILK OR BREAD. THE ONLY REASON WAS BECAUSE HE WAS ALREADY WITH ME IN THE CAR ON THOSE TWO OCCASIONS. I AGREE LEAVING THEM IN THE CAR WITH A/C CAN BE JUST AS DANGEROUS SUCH AS ABOVE WITH THE K-9 DOGS. I WOULD NEVER TAKE ANY OF MY DOGS TO GO "SHOPPING" IF THEY COULD NOT COME IN TOO.

[Miss Z]

Let me get this straight........

If I go into a store for a couple minutes to get, for instance, a gallon of milk, and leave Lady in the truck, which has had the A/C running, and is fairly cool, you feel that it is alright to vandalize my truck?

Sorry, I'd press charges in a heartbeat.

Over here vandalism would be the least of your worries. It's illegal to leave dogs in cars in the UK and you can get fined quite heftily. I think in many parts of the US, it's illegal too, but correct me if I'm wrong on this.

I agree with you that sometimes it affects those who had no intention of leaving them for long, but we have to be safe rather than sorry.

[vinjashira]

Over here vandalism would be the least of your worries. It's illegal to leave dogs in cars in the UK and you can get fined quite heftily. I think in many parts of the US, it's illegal too, but correct me if I'm wrong on this.

I agree with you that sometimes it affects those who had no intention of leaving them for long, but we have to be safe rather than sorry.

you are underestimating vandalism. It is illegal as well and you can be prosecuted.

I aggree with Lady's human. If you mean well and you are really concern with the dog inside the car and you believe that it could be in danger then call the dog warden/rspca/police/other authorities. No need to take the law in your own hands.