So mad with idiot dog owners today.

[britishbandit]

I went to Petsmart earlier today (I didn't take Tysa and PJ because I was off to other places too), and on my way out back to the car, I noticed a minivan in the parking lot. Windows down about 2 inches, with 2 dogs in there (looked like Labs).
First of all, it was about 90 degrees outside today (and about 70% humidity), muggy and sticky because of the small storm we had this morning. Why anyone would leave dogs in a car in this heat for even 5 minutes is beyond me.
And second, why would anyone take their dogs to Petsmart and not bring them in the actual store? What's the point of that, to possibly kill your dogs or give them heat stroke?
I waited at my car for a about 10 minutes, no sign of the owners, so I called the humane society. All I got was the answering machine 3 times in a row.
The dogs were whining and yipping a bit when I first noticed them, and slowing began to fade. By the time the owners came back out, it had been over half an hour, and the dogs had long since passed out on the back seat of the van.
The thought in my head was to check the doors to see if they were unlocked, or to smash in the windows and get them out (obviously I didn't actually do that.....but I sure wanted to).
I usually am pretty calm about and problem I have with how people are treating their dogs, but I lost it. When they came out, I said to them "what the "heck" are you playing at", it's friggin 90 degrees out here and you leave your dogs in the van?".....and told them they were "Lucky I didn't call the humane society" (I wasn't going to give it away that I had called, and without being able to get a person on the line). They proceeded to tell me "what we do with our dogs is none of your business". I said "yes it is, when you put those dogs in danger in front of me, it IS my business", and that "next time you may come out to find your dogs have been taken away from you and be charged with cruelty to animals".
I really hope those dogs are ok, I got back in my car and watched as they entered theirs. The dogs did not get up at all to see them, it was almost like they weren't even in there anymore.
I thought about it after, and kicked myself when I realized that the humane society was so close, and I could've simple drove there (5 minutes away) to report it. I really was so frustrated that it didn't even occur to me as I was calling the humane society. I also thought after that the owners may have came back out before anyone got there, but jeez.............aarrggghhh!!!!

[bigdoglover]

What idiots!! People don't realize that the inside temp of a car can quickly rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.

Those people probably didn't even notice that their dogs didn't "greet" them when they got in.....good for you for telling them off!

[k9hullio_sam]

Yeah for you!!! I wish I was 'brave' enough to talk to people like that. Maybe next time they will be a little more cautious.

[sammy]

Holy cow ! Those dogs could have died Did the dogs literally pass out as in unconscious flaked out or just lying down panting? If I would have seen that and had something to break the window I probably would have! (Not that that's the smart thing to do but nobody ever accused me of being smart ) I'm glad you got mad at them. Maybe they'll think twice about doing that again if for no other reasone than to avoid the hassle

[MazieDog]

Woah!! 90 degrees outside is NOT good weather to leave a dog in the car in... During the summer, temperatures inside the car can rise 20 - 30 degrees above the temperature outside the car.. What morons.. *sigh*

[Sweetpea]

Some people just drive me crazy!!! I'm so glad you said something. I know I would have. People always laugh at me. I always have water for Emma with me when I take her out. She has her own doggie bag( diaper bag) with treats, travel bowls, leash, toys, food, bags, etc.... I also never leave her in the van. If one of us needs to run into a store, someone always stays with her with the Ac on. She loves to watch people go in and out of the store. Our Humane society sucks when you try to call them.

[poodlesmom]

If you run into a situation like that again and are unable to reach the Humane Society try calling the police. In my area they have been known to respond to those types of calls.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by sammy

Did the dogs literally pass out as in unconscious flaked out or just lying down panting?

I don't think they were unconscious, but they were definately not doing good. They were flat out on their sides, tonges draped slightly out touching the seat, and eyes open. They were definately in distress, with very little movement. I really hope they are ok, but it's quite possible that they are or were suffering from heat stroke.
Honestly, I couldn't believe I was seeing it.......I really should've done more.

And yes Sweetpea, our humane society isn't very reliable when it comes to answering the phone are they? Funny thing is, whenever I used to go in there to volunteer, there were always like 4 staff memebers in the reception just chatting away.
You would know exactly how far away the humane society is from Petsmart, not far at all is it? If I ever come across that again (which I hope not!), I will either drive there and get someone to come out, or try the police like Poodlesmom said. Actually, I think I'll call the police station tomorrow, and find out if that is something I can report to them.

Oh, and Justin, from what I hear, even 75 degrees outside can turn the inside of a car to over 100 within 15 minutes during the day!!! Even with those window cracked a couple of inches, that tempurature for those dogs must have been unbearable.

[sammy]

It's easy to look back NOW and say I should have done more but you were probably shocked! I would be and the you don't know iof the people are gonna be there in one second or ten more minutes. The only thing I can yhink of is going running into Petsmart saying soemone's left animals in the hot car and they look like they're not doing well! and seeing if you could get the staff of Petsmart to make an announcent. I wouldn't have thought of that at the time. You did great.I bet they'll think twice before doing that again. I hope they feel like crap.

[Checkers]

Definitely call the police next time! I wouldn't even waste my time with my local humane society.. but I don't have much respect for their response time here either as I have had to call them for strays in the neighborhood and they wouldn't show up for hours. Anyhow.... the police will most definitely respond and then the people will probably get charged with animal cruelty... especially if the dogs are showing signs of distress as you saw. Some strange person scolding them on the street probably didn't effect them too much.. but a police officer standing beside their car with a broken window and their dogs out getting water would definitely get their attention! In every area I have lived I have heard of police doing just that with both kids and animals left in hot cars.... I can't imagine it NOT happening in that situation. I hope the two dogs are okay and recover quickly.

[linnie]

I call the police and then I break the window lol.
have done it before and no doubt will again.
If they get upset I tell them I am going to lay formal charges which we can do in my state.

I hope those poor dogs are ok

[Vicki]

You did the right thing! Well done for speaking up for those dogs! If you do call the police, let us know what they say!

We have the RSPCA over here to call on, and they are very similar to the Humane Society in that they are pretty useless when you need them!

[WolfRyder]

Oh wow! That's horrible! I took the dogs with me shopping Sunday and they went inside the air conditioned buildings when I did. Wouldn't leave my puppers in the car.

Just the in and out of the car, with the heat, caused Bob to throw up. I can't imagine how horrible it must have been for those 2 poor dogs!

Good for you for saying something, even though the owners are too dense to have listened anyway.

[Beryl]

That really p-sses me off! People do the same friggin' thing with children which accounts for many deaths.

Although the owners acted like fools and pretended not to hear you, they did. I doubt they will do it again because they will fear being reported.

Hindsight is 20-20...

I think the best thing to do is to go into the store (especially Petsmart) and complain. They or others in the store will help you get justice. Petsmart would probably announce the car license/make/model over the loudspeaker and publicly embarrass the heck out of them and also help free the dogs. Sometimes having witnesses can get results, lower the risk to you, and get the misdeed on record.