How are owners repremanded for leaving their dogs in hot vehicles while they eat?

Question

Sunday we had lunch at Tijuana Flats. In the parking lot, there was a red Honda CRV (won't give plate #) with a dog inside. Although the windows were open, it was still a very hot day and you could see the dog panting a lot as it sat in direct sunlight. So I got the plate number and requested (after about 10 minutes of eating and not seeing anyone attend to the dog) a waitress ask the manager to please make an announcement about the dog and notify everyone that the police would be called had they not done anything. Apparently this manager was not concerned and had the waitress come back to tell me he wasn't going to make any such announcement. I'm assuming this manager didn't know it was me who made the request as he walked around to see if everyone's, including my, food was okay, smiling. So I contacted the police. Finally after about 10-20 more minutes, the owner was done eating and left. I was not able to see the driver's side of the vehicle or else I would have spoken with the owner, so we only saw her as she drove away. She even had a child with her. This made me very angry thinking how she would react if it were her own child left in the car over-heated rather than her dog. Unfortunately, the police never showed up before either of us left, so nothing has been done to this woman. Is there anything else one can do to at least point out her cruelty to her?

For future reference, this restaurant is located at 944 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Answer 1

In the UK this now is considered under the 'Duty of Care' legislation and the owner is in breech of the code, when the dog is in discomfort. A dog should not be left alone in a 'hot' car, without the windows open and without water, over 20 minutes. A dog can die, if it is very hot of dehydration. You did the right thing to be concerned.

In the UK you would ring the RSPCA or the Police who would contact them on your behalf. If the dog had been in danger, you even could have charged the owner of the restaurant for ignoring your 'warning'.

However, there are a few things one needs to take into consideration, whether one can take any measures first to avoid any discomfort to the dog. Find ways of cooling down the dog by preventing sun rays from getting into the car. Making sure the dog really is overheated, before raising the alarm. Overreacting can cause opposite reactions and damage the good intentions.

Finally, if you believe that you have no other alternative, you write down the numberplate and again, this is UK policy, you report them to the police who do a check at Swansea where all cars are registered. I appreciate that this happened in Florida and having a 20 mins lunch is ok. It would be better if restaurants would allow dogs entry, like they do on the continent. The UK is no better. Most restaurants ban dogs. Pubs OTOH allow dogs, especially when they have a garden restaurant. Unless you know the owner's circumstances, you don't want to necessarily jump to the wrong conclusions. However, there are many people out there who are ignorant and one thing you could have done is stand next to the car and make a big fuss over the fact that a dog was suffering, if you felt this to be the case. This sure would have caused the owner to rise to the occasion and return to the car, to see what the problem was. Just a thought.

Answer 2

Next time you see something like this I suggest you go out and stand beside the car and call the cops. Also, if you can take a picture of the license plate. When the owner comes out you explain to them that you have called the cops because of the danger they're putting their dog in. I don't care if you have to get rude about it but you need to explain to them that a hot sunny day in Florida is the wrong time to leave a dog locked in a car without air conditioning.

I've done this before and have gotten in big arguments with irresponsible dog owners because of it but the dog cannot speak English so someone has to say something.

Answer 3

The restaurant owner would seem to be greedy, and didn't want to rile someone spending money.  

The pet owner is stupid (self explanatory).

The only thing I think you should have done differently was to call the police or animal control immediately.

If dogs are left in vehicles at dog shows (usually by someone that has come to watch), they announce that their window will be broken so as to tend to the animal and they will be fined!

Maybe you have some recourse through animal control via the license number?

Good for you to have at least tried.

Answer 4

Next time, call the police and wait by the car. Get the license plate. This is terrible for a dog to sit in a hot car. If it is hot enough, a dog can die in 3 minutes. Also, talk to the owner next time, and consult the manager yourself.

Answer 5

If at any time in the hot weather you see a dog, child or a elderly person in a hot car call the police and report it take no time at all for any of them to be harmed or die in the heat of a auto.

Answer 6

Contact the ASPCA, telling them that you had made a complaint to the police department, and no one showed up. Tell them what you had witnessed and that you wish to make a formal complaint, bear in mind, you may have to go to court, and want someone to look in on the dog to make sure he/she is being properly cared for. Most states will bring up charges based on an eye witness account.

If you have a camera phone, next time you see such a horrendous crime, tape it or take pictures of it so there is rock solid proof of cruelty.