Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 11:54 AM GMT+5 Contributed by: Zippy
A story from another site:
"By CBS 3 Springfield News
Story Published: Aug 2, 2010 at 11:23 PM EDT
Story Updated: Aug 3, 2010 at 7:27 PM EDT
A West Springfield man is facing animal cruelty charges after police say he left his two dogs in a hot pick up truck while shopping at the Holyoke Mall.
The photos of the incident released by Holyoke Police might bring any dog lover to tears. An old yellow lab and a little corgi cross left in the back of a sealed pickup truck while police say their owner went shopping for nearly two hours at the Holyoke mall...."
Dog Dies in Hot Car in Springfield, Mass. | 12 comments | Create New Account
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Dog Dies in Hot Car in Springfield, Mass.
Authored by: babalu on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 01:15 PM GMT+5
What seems clear to me in these cases is that people are just plain ignorant of the danger and not purposely being cruel. Most of them love their animals.
This is a situation where education is the best defense and that could be handled by possibly making people watch a video just like this one when they get their animal licensed or when they've brought them to their first vet appointment.
As with so many other horrible mistakes, it's stupidity; pure and simple.
Authored by: Zippy on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 03:07 PM GMT+5
I agree. But the penalties need to be stiffer and what laws do exist need to be exercised, or they are pointless. That has been the case in Brattleboro in the past. At least twice, the Brattleboro Animal Control Officer has left dogs in cars for up to 40 minutes on hot days, despite the data we have on what can, and too often does, happen. Ignorance is no excuse, particularly when it involves the "discretionary judgment" of Brattleboro town officials who are authorized under Vermont law to act on behalf of an animal in distress.
There seems to be some recent awareness of the situation, as complaints appear to have increased based on a recent Reformer article. As a community, we must expect more from the town in terms of assuring that those who are authorized to rescure animals do nothing less. Otherwise we look as ignorant as the people who leave their dogs in hot cars, if not more so, because we have a law in Vermont, unlike, for example, Florida.
Authored by: Zippy on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 02:53 PM GMT+5
It's hard to confront people, because many people react with hostility, as if their rights are somehow being violated by our concern. Visit www.mydogiscool.com for facts on how quickly a car can heat up and kill or harm a dog, and to see how pervasive this practice is. Then, maybe try to approach the person with concern and some information. If you can, offer to stay with the dog while they run in the store. I have done this myself.
But never leave the dog, because dogs dying in hot cars is getting to be pandemic. A Google search with "dog dies in hot car" produced endless news stories from across the country. Call the police and tell them that the dog is left in the car. Waiting to see if the dog is suffering is beyond comprehension.
In Vermont, officials are authorized to remove them on a hot day, if there is any question of possible harm to the animal. On a day like today, removing them is justified. Officers don't always do it, but they are legally authorized to. At least that way, you leave a trail if the animal dies. If you have any question that the animal is in danger, United Animal Nations suggests you free the dog, with a witness if possible. Just as the Sears employees did in Holyoke.
Authored by: babalu on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 04:18 PM GMT+5
Something tells me that in this town, as tempting as it would be to step in and intervene, if someone decided to take matters into their own hands to free an animal they'd find themselves with a pile of legal problems, whether the animal lived or not; or would this be nothing to worry about?
Authored by: Zippy on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 06:38 PM GMT+5
Personally, a pile of legal problems I can handle, if they are the result of preventing the unnecessary suffering or death of an animal due to negligence. Knowing I stood by and did nothing out of fear of a legal entanglement I certainly could not live with.
Authored by: Circe4 on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 01:44 PM GMT+5
Nothing angers me as much as people who abuse
animals. I say, let the punishment fit the crime - lock
HIM in the back of a hot car all day, without water, and
let him feel what's it like.
What's especially shocking is that they gave him back
the dog who survived..!! This man should never be
allowed to have pets..or children, for that matter.
Common sense and compassion are clearly lacking in
him.
Authored by: BrattMan on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 01:48 PM GMT+5
Here's a relatable story from Fark.com:
Sad, but not news: woman leaves dog in car on 104 degree day; dog dies. Fark: woman was in Costco buying dog food at the time. Ultrafark: she went right back in and returned the food
It's deplorable what some people would do, isn't it?
Here is the link in case you want to read the article itself:
Authored by: Maus Anon E on Wednesday, August 04 2010 @ 02:27 PM GMT+5
Although I like dogs, I'm not a dog person, so I just can't understand why people think their dogs have to go everywhere with them. You don't have to be able to think that far ahead to see that your car is going to be too hot for a dog on a warm sunny summer day. Can't dogs be lounging at home when it's 90 F out and 150 F in a partially closed car?
Authored by: NorahCook on Monday, August 09 2010 @ 09:57 AM GMT+5
Where in nature does a person and their dog(s) ever encounter heat of this type, unless living in a desert/Arizona, in which case you know enough to come in out of the "hot" and seek some shelter, have a siesta and stop shopping, of all ridiculous things.
To my mind broiling hot asphalt deserts are superweird environments and if we came across a place like that anywhere else but at a shopping center, we would give it a wide berth--it's a cruel, inhumane, punishing place.
Please, when given an opportunity, advocate for trees--surely there could be fewer parking spots and lots more trees!! Advocate for car shelters that simultaneously support solar panels to power the shopping center/mall. Advocate for dog owners to be educated... and think not only about dogs, but about all the creatures that we confine and that we use for our own purposes. They all deserve some kind thoughts.
This is a situation where education is the best defense and that could be handled by possibly making people watch a video just like this one when they get their animal licensed or when they've brought them to their first vet appointment.
As with so many other horrible mistakes, it's stupidity; pure and simple.