I read a recent article on ‘what to do’ if you encounter a dog in a hot car in Indianapolis. It boiled down to not taking matters into your own hands and break the vehicle window to rescue the helpless animal. Instead, authorities suggest that you call their “non-emergency” number, 317-327-3811. Not 9-1-1, but this 10 digit number. I tried to recall it from memory and forgot the last 3 numbers. That’s a problem and wasted time trying to contact authorities could mean a dead dog. I’m sure it’s debatable whether it’s appropriate to call 9-1-1 instead to help a dog who’s sitting in a vehicle, with the windows rolled up, and temperatures soaring past 100 degrees (and that’s on a mildly warm day). You wouldn’t think twice if it were a child instead of a dog. Some may not see a dog’s life as important. And still some would say our police resources are stretched too thin as it is to respond to such a call that only involves a panting pooch. To those individuals I would suggest they sit in a 100+ degree car for 15 to 30 minutes (or longer in some cases) and see how comfortable it feels.
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Watch as this veterinarian demonstrates what it’s like to be stuck in a parked car for over 30 minutes with temps reaching 110+ degrees.
(video source DrErnieWard via YouTube)
A story just this week out of Texas, found a retired veteran in trouble with the law for breaking the window of a vehicle to help an overheated dog. Instead of the owner being grateful that her dog was rescued and okay, she decided to press charges. Trespassing and vandalism, I believe. Again, “uh, you’re WELCOME!”. The lady could have come out to her car only to find her dog that she supposedly loves soooo much, is dead from heat exhaustion. Here’s the story:
http://cbs4indy.com/2015/05/12/veteran-arrested-in-georgia-after-smashing-hot-cars-window-to-save-dog/
Last summer, I was at a local grocery store, and I was walking through the parking lot, I hear a dog barking with a panicked tone. He’s sitting inside an SUV, windows rolled up. I took down the license plate and went inside to the service desk. I explained the situation, but was told by the employee that they couldn’t announce the person’s plate over the intercom, but instead, I should call the police. Were they afraid of humiliating the customer??!! And funny how they didn’t want to get involved, putting the risk on me to call the police. I asked for the manager (my Irish stubbornness was shining that day). They came up only to tell me the same stupid excuse of how they couldn’t get involved. So they’d rather have their grocery store logo splattered all over the 6 o’clock news reporting on a dead dog in their parking lot? Luckily, the owner came out to their car just as I was going out to call the police.
I admire the veteran in the story above, and hope I would be willing to risk arrest to save the life of a living breathing (gasping in this case) thing if I find myself in that situation again this year.
Would you?
