the car was left on, the airconditioning was on full blast. I went in the store to pick up a few items. A customer reportedly told the cashier to page me and reported that they had my license plate number and they were calling the cops b/c my dog was in the car. I ran out and checked on him, my dog was not even hot!!! i was gone for like 5 minutes max. Was i breaking the law? Is this animal cruelty?
2007-06-05 09:38:31 · 13 answers · asked by kerstin g 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
i live in TN
2007-06-05 09:43:01 · update #1
I've done the same thing. My dog loves to ride in the car, so if I go on a short trip I'll take her with me.
I have an automatic car starter, so I can lock my car and take the keys with me but leave the car on for her. I don't think you were being cruel at all.
I don't know about the legality of leaving a dog in the car. I wouldn't think leaving a pet in a running car would be illegal, but I guess you would need to look into your areas laws. I think the person was just being a pain.
Check out this website: it's a really informative article about the possible dangers of leaving a pet in a car (and the overreaction of a lot of people to pets who are perfectly safe).
http://www.goodpooch.com/ISSUES/carsanddogs.htm
2007-06-05 09:50:31 · answer #1 · answered by Madam Honey 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've lived in many places over the years and believe it or not I have found that lots of people love and regard dogs more so than humans. If you had left a child in the car for that same 5 minutes I wager that nothing would be said until you came back to the car and a bystander would probably give you a tongue lashing. Leave a dog in the car and people go berserk and want to call the police. It's just how it is in this country.
2007-06-05 09:57:19 · answer #2 · answered by David S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many things to think about when leaving your dog in the car.
1} Is the animal cool/warm enough?
2} Is this safe? If the dog could accidentally put your car in gear, both your dog or someone walking by might be injured.
3} How long will I be gone?
4} will my animal be upset or aggressive while waiting for me?
I have a dog carrier that I've used for this purpose when I am traveling out of town and HAVE To take my dogs.
Usually I have a sitter for them but there are occasions that it isn't possible. Safety and comfort are the important things.
Let Love for the animal be your guide dear, Pandora
2007-06-05 09:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by Pandora R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not supposed to leave anyone not capable of releasing themselves in a closed vehicle. This is because so many IDIOTS will leave pets, the elderly and children in cars while they go about their errands. A car can heat up amazingly fast. I'm very happy that you left the AC on for the pup, but whoever called you in probably didn't know that. They were looking out for the dog, so I must commend them, as well. (Not everyone would be so considerate to leave AC on for an "animal", and THAT is the problem.)
2007-06-05 10:16:00 · answer #4 · answered by Shadycat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm from Utah and I'm very familiar with the law. According to Utah State Law, it is considered animal cruelty. Doesn't matter if you have tthe A/C on. The complaintant doesn't know that. You have to also throw in the fact that the complaintant (caller) is going to make it bigger than it sounds when they call 911. I'm not sure if this applies in your state, but in other states this does apply. Hope this helps....have a good day!
2007-06-05 09:47:32 · answer #5 · answered by mbarrett21 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many communities have enacted ordinances which prohibit you from letting your car idle for more than a certain period of time - like three minutes. All communities have ordinances prohibiting cruelty to animals. Although what you described doesn't appear to constitute cruelty, it's a question of fact and the police could probably ticket you and let a judge decide.
2007-06-05 09:44:44 · answer #6 · answered by Judge 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Under the conditions you described, there's no way they could get you for "animal cruelty". But you could probably get cited for leaving your car running and unattended. I know in Texas it's against the law to just leave the keys in the ignition. Good way to lose your dog AND your car.....
2007-06-05 09:50:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is against the law everywhere, even if you left on the AC .. Would you leave a child like that too? any way a car setting and running is asking to be stolen. you could lose your car and the dog .
2007-06-05 09:51:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you were not breaking the law. you have to provide a avenue for the dog to breathe,that means you have to leave a window cracked for air to get in the car. you did nothing wrong but it gave the picture that something was not good for the dog
2007-06-05 14:19:03 · answer #9 · answered by charlsyeh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a new law in California that you can't leave dogs in the car.
2007-06-05 09:42:18 · answer #10 · answered by Sean 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋