If the car is parked where the owner might be located, like outside a store, or in front of a house, then I'll try and locate the owner first before I call animal control or the police.

After I make an attempt to find the owner and animal control or the police are called I will wait by the car and if the dog starts looking like it's in distress I'm getting the dog out if that means breaking the window then so be it.

 

Depends on exactly how bad things look. Legally, we're now allowed to break into a car to save an animal But I would call the cops first and have them 'break in' for me if possible, or have them bring someone who can pick locks so that no damage is done to the car in the process. Assuming the animal still has time for that and seems okay. I would also have whatever local store ring on the PA system that their car will be broken into in 2 minutes with the license plate number to rescue the dog if they don't show up, so it notifies them of what's happening if possible.

 

Honestly I would stay with the car and call the cops. I am of no authority or strength to go breaking someone's car window.

 

I probably wouldn't call the cops unless the dog looked bad enough. Elongated yet dry looking tongue,foaming near the mouth and all that.

Also if the dog was only in it for like three minutes in 65-75F or not.
So would try to wait for or contact owner.

 

It would depend on the situation and how bad the dog is struggling. I may ignore if a quick place to shop, I may keep a eye on the car, I may call the cops, or I may break the window. If I saw a dog or child seizing or foaming at the mouth, I would probably break the window and deal with consequences later.

 

Good question but honestly i have no idea what I would do

I don't have a cell phone, I only go out with my dogs who cannot go in stores and my health isn't the greatest so that would limit the time I could stay and wait and my ability to wander around trying to find the owner.

I have no idea

 

I would try and find the owner first, then if they don't show I'd call the cops.

It is illegal to break someone's car window in the US. I would have to be 100% positive the dog was in serious distress before I'd break the window.

 

Definitely something to take into consideration. It would have to be really serious situation for me to consider breaking open a window.

Though, I believe there are some municipals that do allow you to break a window if there's animal in distress. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I would definitely try to find the owner, and try to explain the them just how dangerous it is to do such a thing. But if I couldn't find them? I could easily resort to breaking a window or calling the police, if the dog appeared to be in distress. I am not about to mess around with that kind of thing. I'd rather have to pay for repairs than possibly risk the dog's wellbeing.

 

Twice over the last few years I have seen distressed dogs in cars.It was when we lived in the city ,once at a mall,once in a parking lot.On the first occasion I got reg.no got mall manager to announce it and stayed till the red faced owner returned.Second time,the dog was lying on the seat obviously deteriorating quickly.Several people gathered and as there was no sign of the owner we broke the window.(I should say,I watched while a 6foot male broke it).The owner returned after I had the small dog out and was giving him sips of water,he soon recovered.She was very apologetic and drove away asap.I don't know if it is an offense here to break a window,but I know if it was to get a child or animal out of the heat,you would never be charged...owner would,for neglect.

 

I'd be reluctant to break a window but I would if the cops didn't arrive in time or the owner didn't show by the time the dog was looking really bad.

 

I always try to look at this from a reasonable perspective. If the dog's in a car in the shade with the windows cracked in the parking lot of Taco Bell or McDonald's I'm probably not going to do anything unless the dog is demonstrating distress. I would then go inside the store and locate the owners. I live in an area with lots of tourism traffic and many people travel with pets and simply run inside to use the restroom before coming back out and going through the drive-thru.

If it's a big store like Walmart or a grocery store like Publix I am again looking for signs of distress from the dog. If the dog doesn't appear physically distressed I give a five-minute to ten-minute time frame depending on the weather. In Summer it's almost always five minutes or less. If no owner shows I go in and ask if a cashier can make an announcement.

Honestly, I don't know people's lives and don't like calling the cops on someone in a situation as variable as a car in a parking lot unless I have to. They could be running inside to pick up a prescription or grab an extra pack of diapers.

If the dog appears to be deteriorating or panting heavily/weak my first attempt would be to find the owners, and if they couldn't be found then call the police.

When I find the owners I do talk tough though, letting them know I was about to call the police and how heavy the fines can be, as well as sharing a story or two about dogs dying and owners charged with cruelty.

 

If the dog's in distress then I would call the cops first, then locate the owners (If I do then they will get a lecture). I'm not going to break someone else's property only because a) it's illegal and b) Dog's are still classified as property. Unless you have the proper authority to impound a pet, you can be charged with theft and possession of stolen property. c) some dog's are NOT going to take you breaking into their owner's property lightly, some may bite you! and d) smashing a window may scare an already terrified dog straight into traffic, which is not safe.

I want to add, people REALLY need to make sure the owner isn't close to the vehicle or actually in it before doing anything. I take Tessa with me everywhere I need to drive my mom, but I don't leave the car. I sit in the drivers side, windows down or air conditioning on if required. I have had multiple people threaten to break my window, because Tessa barks when she sees people come near the Jeep, and have actually had one nearly take a brick to my back window. I was watching out my rear view and bolted out, yelling explicits.

 

First, I'd get really, really mad. . And then I'd probably try to find the owner, and if I couldn't, I'd call the police. I don't know if I'd try to find the owner, though, because some owners might just say 'its none of your business, bug off'. You know what I mean.

 

If the dog was in clear distress, I would first attempt to locate the owner in the store. Hopefully they have an intercom system. If I could not locate the owner, I would call the police and stay with the dog if possible.

I would not break anyone's windows.

At that point, you're getting into legal issues and also a chance that something happens (dog gets loose, hurt from broken glass, etc) to the dog you were trying to "save".

I know someone who got YELLED at for leaving her dog in her car. However, like my truck, she is able to keep the car locked and running remotely with the a/c on. And that's the only way I myself would ever leave my dog in my car. And even then, not for more than a few minutes. The a/c was blasting and the dog was very happy. Not to mention, very cool.

She probably handled that situation far better than I would have. If my A/C is running and my dog is fine and someone STILL makes a comment to me about it, I will most definitely tell them to mind their own business.

 

It sort of depends if the dog is in distress or not. If it's hot and the dog looks like it needs help, I'll break a window. Yeah, it's illegal but so isn't abuse. I will take charges if it means that the dog won't die alone in a hot car.

 

Since I am not of authority to break a car window, first I would locate the dogs owners and I would give them a lecture about it. I most likely would tell the authorities if I could not locate the owner.

Some owners just need to not bring their dog. If the dog was clearly in distress I would be angrier if it was a dog who was sleeping on a seat.

It just depends on the situation.


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