DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A HOT CAR!! Just recently a man was charged with animal abuse for leaving his dog in a locked car in 90++ degree weather. Thor was an 18 month old bulldog and suffered a stroke from the heat in the closed automobile.
Mr. Davis of South Carolina left Thor in the car just to do a bit of shopping, leaving a crack on the windows. Opening the windows even slightly could never compensate for the excess heat on the outside because the temps inside are in excess of at least 30 degrees hotter than the outdoor temps. Public Safety Officers at the West Gate Mall in Spartanburg, South Carolina noted Thor in the vehicle suffering from a heat stroke at about 3 pm, one of the hottest times of the day.
Thor was in deep distress while anxiously waiting for his owner. He was now lying down with tongue hanging out so the windows of the car were smashed in order to rescue the dog. Thor began throwing up and his tongue was now purple. Under Vet care, he went blind from the brain swelling, had seizures and eventually passed away a day later after the incident. Prior to then, his vet claimed Thor was in perfect health. Thor’s life as all in vain; Mr. Davis only got a slap on the wrist and released from jail after just killing his dog.
When are people going to learn that no matter the temps, hot or cold, never leave your precious animals in a closed car. Even a crack on the windows will not help to protect that animal. If you have to go somewhere where you must go inside, even for a moment, leave the dog at home when it is safe! Or travel pet-friendly and drive-thru destinations for the health and safety of your companion animal.
Since this incident, South Carolina passed a bill that expressly allows emergency responders to break into cars to save animals who may be suffering from "heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or under other dangerous conditions.” More needs to be done nationwide to enforce new laws that prosecute pet owners who leave their animals in a vehicle. This is a death sentence for the animal and a sure act of animal cruelty and abuse!!!! Don’t leave your dog in a car to suffer!!!
Governor of South Carolina & Local State Representatives,
Please develop some laws banning pet owners from leaving their animals in a car while shopping or running other errands. This is a form of animal abuse and if you do not employ new laws against it, sweet and innocent animals will continue to die; and the owners just get a slap on the wrist and set free to do it again. Employ and enforce new laws against animal abuse/cruelty with stiffer penalties so we can all save and protect sweet and innocent animals that cannot protect themselves.
