How many of you would smash a car window open if they saw a dog suffering in this heat?

Question

I would without any hesitation and to hell with the consequences. People think that if they leave the windows open a little it's ok - it isn't.

Great answer Genius - not. Also to all of you who say call the police - what's the point? They never turn up!

Answer 1

Definatly! Screw the criminal damage charge and the price of the replacment window. Never hurt an animal, especially as it cannot diffend itself.

Answer 2

I think I would make some attempt to find the car owner first, then I would take the number of the vehicle and phone the RSPCA and/or the police or fire service. The police are usually very good at dealing with something like this, though they often don't have the manpower to attend.

Smashing the window might allow the dog to escape or be cut by glass, which would cause more problems. It is also, regardless of anything, an act of vandalism which, though justifiable, might lead to prosecution (or counter-prosecution).

Edit: As to the response that the police 'never turn up'. That is a very defeatist attitude. If you have reported a crime (which cruelty to animals is) and the police do not respond, then they are as much to blame as the owner. You, on the other hand, will have done all that you legally should by reporting the crime quickly, effectively and with enough information for the police to act. If you can wait around to take details and find that the police don't act quickly enough, then a letter to your local paper would have good results.

Answer 3

First, call the police - even if there isn't enough time to wait for them to arrive, it will document the seriousness of the problem and your intent to do the right thing.
Second, get some witnesses to the fact that the dog is suffering and in immediate danger BEFORE you break the window. Make sure the witnesses are willing to back you up - get their names and contact info before they leave. If you can quickly get a camera or cell phone and take a few pictures, that's even better.
Third, break the window and save the dog - but make sure it doesn't get loose or run away. You could be held liable for anything that happens afterward - say, if the dog gets hit by a car or bites someone.
Fourth, if you can't do any of the above - you should still break the window and save the dog. But be prepared for the consequences.

Answer 4

A great question but a very difficult one because you are balancing the comfort and possibly life of the dog alongside the possibility of being bought to heel for damaging the car. After all, you would have little proof that your actions were totally correct unless the dog remained evidence at the time. An arrogant owner, even possibly a violent and aggressive one, could inflame the situation way beyond the saving of the dog.
I am a dog owner and would never leave her in a hot car, even for a minute or two.
MY advice in a situation like this? You obviously have to do something! Call the police but if that is impossible get a responsible witness, or two others would be better, who agree that action is necessary and retain their names and addresses if you do break in. But at the end of the day, you are going to be fully responsible. Okay, its really a no brainer .... if the dog is being slowly killed, you must somehow stop it and the owner cannot demand respect in such a situation. It's tantamount to murder, isn't it?
But I guess if you are prepared to take total responsibility for your actions, including backlash by the owner and being asked to pay for damage, then you probably have a damn good right to proceed. But you must care for the dog once saved and ensure that the vehicle is attended until the owner is found. IN any event, I would always call the police first before you break in ...

Answer 5

If the dog didn't seem to be in too much distress I would call the RSPCA and get them to come out. They have the power to rescue animals in danger. For us ordinary people we would get done for criminal damage and end up with a permanent record. I understand what you are saying I love dogs but smashing a window because a dog has been left in the car is going too far. You have time before the dog is dangerously ill. Use that time to go through the proper channels.
And I would have to agree with Genius because most people would turn a blind eye to a dog locked in a car.

Answer 6

smashing the window prob isnt the best action. I would call the rspca or whatever animal authority is where you live and get them over there ASAP. Id wait til the owner got back - give them an earful and then leave it to the authorities to sort them out.
WHilst it would break my heart to see an animal in heat distress, you will only end up with a criminal record for vandalism.
It galls me every day of my life though, seeing people that dont deserve to own animals, mistreating them. In this day and age you need a license to drive a car, watch a tv and other stupid things, yet any fool can own an animal.

Answer 7

Yes, I would without any delay. Recently it was reported in my local area that 1 dog died and the other was near death because the owner had left the dogs in the car, without the windows open, at a garden centre for 4 hours!!! That person should be prosecuted or jailed. What made it worse, it was on the hottest day of the year.

Answer 8

We are of coarse assuming this is on a sweltering hot day and that the dog is in distress. Given the situation I would call my local police department (I have the police from all the local towns on my speed dial) and inform them that I was going to break the window. If they advised me to wait I would but if it took too long I would certainly break the window out. Always break a side window and the smallest one possible. You want as little glass flying around as possible plus the front is too strong to break anyway. A collapsible baton works well or your foot if you have on proper footwear and can kick high enough.

Answer 9

i would without a shadow of a doubt,
my boyfriend has actually done it, he was at a race meeting a while back and over the tanoy the presenter kept saying that there was a dog in a car that was looking distressed, then again when the rspca turned up..he smashed the window open so the poor dog stood a chance of survial

Answer 10

What would I do? I would smash it open, take the dog and make sure it is okay. Then I would try to locate the owner of the vehicle and then I would call the police and let them know what just happened! I doubt very seriously that they would charge you for something like that! What if it was like a child???

Answer 11

You'd be better off calling the RSPCA, better consequences, plus if you smash the window, whats to say you won't end up hurting yourself or the dog in the end anyway!

The RSPCA emergency number [phone] which covers the whole country!

As for Lola not caring, why is she reading the questions related to dogs??