So here's my question (I've received both good and bad reviews from friends on what I did).

A couple of weeks ago when our weather was still freezing and we still had ice and snow on the ground I went to the gym one morning. When I came out about 10:30 am and went to get in my Nitro, in the Jeep Cherokee parked next to me I discovered a little dog locked inside barking it's head off. OK, now it's something like 20 or so degrees outside and this is in the parking lot at the gym - not outside a Starbuck's where I might have just waited to see if they were coming right back out.

I decided I could do 1 of 2 things - either go back inside and try to find the owner and tell them what they were doing was wrong (and I'm pretty sure illegal) or call the cops. I opted for #2. I pulled forward, called 911 gave the the location and the make and license plate on the jeep fully well knowing that the cops would have to go inside the gym to find them and it was going to be massively embarrassing (and hopefully resulting a stern lecture by the cops if nothing else) but a lesson they would never forget.

I would do the same thing again. What would you guys have done?

20 degrees. Nothing.

Heat is different to me. If dealing with heat, I'd do what you did.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

20 degrees. Nothing.

Heat is different to me. If dealing with heat, I'd do what you did.

Keep in mind dogs in my area of Washington aren't used to freezing temps. We have a number of deaths anytime this happens because people are not prepared. Me, personally, I wouldn't take my dog and leave it locked in the car anytime I was going to the gym to workout. If I didn't have a place for him at home or wherever, I'd give up my workout.

 Quote: Dana Martin

Keep in mind dogs in my area of Washington aren't used to freezing temps. We have a number of deaths anytime this happens because people are not prepared. Me, personally, I wouldn't take my dog and leave it locked in the car anytime I was going to the gym to workout. If I didn't have a place for him at home or wherever, I'd give up my workout.

The effects of cold aren't compounded in a car. It is probably a little warmer in the car without the wind to deal with. Heat is different, IMO.

Life or limb was not at risk here with my interpretation of your story.

Protected from wind and elements for an hour or two at 20 degrees, I have to say I wouldn't have thought much about it. One of those nekkid dogs, yeah. Was it a Chihuahua?

Maybe I'm wrong. I can't picture a furred dog having noticeable distress over being inside a car in 20-degree weather for an hour or two. Isn't that about how long people stay in a gym?

Wet and unprotected, much different. Or if the dog was shivering, much different. Overnight for a dog not habituated, much different.

Interesting. I'll be interested to read what others say.



Hot .... way different.

However, let me add that if I had been in doubt, I would have done what the O.P. did.

I'm just pretty sure I wouldn't have been in doubt.

But go with your gut, IMHO.

Did you look in the car to see what the situation was? I agree with Michael, heat is one thing, but in a car, out of the elements is different. No, it's not what everyone might choose to do for their own dog, but also not a matter for the police. The fact that the dog was barking is irrelevant, a LOT of dogs bark in cars, especially when someone is close. Had the dog been in actual physical distress, I doubt it would have barked, it probably would have been curled up shaking.
I am all for standing up against neglectful treatment of animals. I see things at work all the time that make me want to punch people in the face. But, pick your battles.
I frequently leave my current (and past) dog in my truck while shopping, walking around, etc., and I live (and have lived) in some cold parts of Canada. He is in a crate, with a blanket and is totally fine. If someone did to me, what you did to that person - I would be pissed, as would the police, for having their time wasted. There was recently a post on here from one of our members with a story to just that effect actually. She is one of the most responsible dog owners on the board. Incidentally, in her story, the police didn't go in to look for her, they just waited outside.

Edited by phaedra rieff (01/20/2011 10:58 AM)
Edit reason: speeling

So, I needed to confirm what I'd always understood vs the correct answer, and Michael I apologize. I spoke to my vet's office and they do agree that leaving a dog (depending on the dog) in a locked car in cold temps would probably be ok for an hour or two.

I do agree that heat is significantly worse. No debate on that point.

I guess I felt that if these people cared so little to lock their dog in the car while they went in to work out that they wouldn't care how long they left it there, either.

So, again, my apologies Michael.

However, I still think I would call the cops if it happened again :-) because I think it's just wrong.

"Had the dog been in actual physical distress, I doubt it would have barked, it probably would have been curled up shaking."

Well, this is what I think (actually am pretty sure) is the case. But again, if I didn't know this, and thought the dog was in distress, I'd have done something.

I HAVE done something, more than once, about dogs panting in hot cars. I'm not one to walk away if I am in doubt. In this case, I'm pretty sure doubt would not have entered my head.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Protected from wind and elements for an hour or two at 20 degrees, I have to say I wouldn't have thought much about it. One of those nekkid dogs, yeah. Was it a Chihuahua?

Maybe I'm wrong. I can't picture a furred dog having noticeable distress over being inside a car in 20-degree weather for an hour or two. Isn't that about how long people stay in a gym?

Unfortunately, Connie, the windows were so darkly tinted I couldn't see what kind of dog it was or if it was in any distress. I could only hear it's shrill little bark.

An hour or two is about average for the gym, but there are fanatics that will stay 3-4 hours.

I guess maybe there were just too many unknowns for me at the time to know whether the dog was safe or not that caused me to make the decision that I did.

And yes, hot, way different. I would have called the cops and then gone back in to have found the owner who I would have then waited with until the cops arrived.