dogs left in car - was I over-reacting?

[arycrest]

Originally Posted by Phoenix122

question for all, my car has remote start on it and when that feature is in affect the only thing that works is the airconditioner/ heat. Do you think it is ok for me to do that when i have to run in to a store for a few mins? the remote start allows me to keep the engine on with out having the key in ignition so i can safely lock my car. when I have phoenix with me i always leave the a/c cranking on high and pointed to the floor cuz that is where she lays down so it is directly on her. I want to know if you think that would be ok. I know the feature only lasts about 5mins so i am quick about what i have to do.

Does this feature notify you if the engine stalls out? If not, you might want to take this into consideration since sometimes quick 5 minute trips into a store can take longer than expected.

[Phoenix122]

the engine wont stall out, i make sure it wont take longer if i feel it will i walk out and check on her she is more important than what i am getting from a store.

[Downs]

I have smashed out a window in someone elses car to get a dog out before it was 90 degrees outside and they had a 2 inch crack in one window for a black lab. I called the ASPCA and they took the dog and worte the owner a ticket.

[Zisso]

I don't feel it is fair to the dog to leave it unattended in warm weather regardless of what the people are doing. This being said, I did leave my dogs in the truck a few weeks ago for about an hour. BUT...it was cool and rainy, they were in the crates in the back of the truck, the canopy has no back door, the windows of the canopy were not closed all the way, and my truck was right outside the window where I was having lunch. If it had been 70+ out we would have gone home & dropped the dogs off first despite the fact we were starving.

[Chicagocanine]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

Thing is~ when the dog is distressed for whatever reason the chance of overheating is increased because they aren't in a relaxed state. If they are whining and barking you can bet they are overheated even in temps we think are managable. Not a good idea if over 70 degrees and the sun is on the vehicle...

If any dog whining or barking is overheated, my terrier must have been overheated most of his life because he whined or barked probably half the time he was awake.
I only left him if the temperature was such that it was comfortable for me to sit in the car with the car off (which is what I would be doing the rest of the time-- sitting in the car with the dog-- while waiting for the person I was with to finish shopping.) My being there or not didn't make a different as to whether or not he would be barking, if someone in the car walked away from him where he could not follow he'd bark no matter who it was.

[mjbgsd]

I almost never leave my dogs in the car unless it's night time or it's very rainy and cool during the day when I'm out and about.

I get upset when people leave their dogs in the car with just a crack in the window and it's 70 degrees out. That may not seem much but for the wettest state in the US, 70 is a big deal and we aren't use to that kind of heat so we all get hot at that degree.

[Chicagocanine]

I just realized some people may not know the personalities of the different dog breeds, this could lead to some misunderstanding. Italian Greyhounds tend to be nervous/high-strung dogs. Terriers tend to be barky/whiny (depending on the breed/dog of course.) Barking or whining can mean a dog is in distress, but for some dogs it just means they're awake.
My terrier liked to bark just to hear himself at times. He would also bark or whine when excited, happy, nervous, unsure, frustrated, bored, alert, hungry, playful, and when he wanted something. He would whine constantly when riding in the car due to excitement. He would bark if we were on a walk and I stopped and made him stand still for more than a few seconds. He would bark if he was playing with a toy and accidentally threw it somewhere beyond his reach (yes, he would throw toys for himself). If he was playing with a toy and someone put it away he would stand close to the drawer and bark himself hoarse. He would bark while carrying a toy in his mouth.
He would even bark when doing hydrotherapy: http://tinyurl.com/39mcxmk

[Myles]

Not even little bit. Thats crazy dangerouse you did the right thing and should continue to do it. Especialy with big dogs like saint bernards with heavy coats and ect..

[Fast]

This is not a complicated thing. If you think a dog is in distress call the proper authorities. Don't open the door. Don't give the dog food or water. Don't confront anyone. Just make the call.

What if the dog has a medical condition and the food or water that you give the dog makes him ill or kills him? What happens when the dog dogs tries to eat you when you open the door? What happens when the owner comes out and sees you screwing with his dog and puts you in the hospital?

Remember, as much as you may not like it, a dog is property. And if you mess with other property you have to deal with the consequences. Your taxes pay people to take care of the problem and you should let them do their job.