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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think everyone should know not to leave dogs in cars?

62 replies

bebanjo · 01/10/2011 23:54

To day, dog in car in tesco car-park, 2 windows open 2" each, full sun?
gave the reag to the staff, when we came out, a child was in the car with the dog, Windows now open more, child very red in face dog panting, no water in sight.
is it just me?

OP posts:

carriedababi · 02/10/2011 13:31

what would happen if say you did smash the window, could you get arrseted for criminal damage?
perhaps you would risk getting a criminal record?

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 13:34

Indeed, carridababi, that's very possible.

However I wouldn't give a monkeys personally. I'd rather a criminal record than a dead dog in front of me.

brighthair · 02/10/2011 13:38

I'm with vallhala on this. And by the time I would smash a window I doubt the dog would be in a fit state to bite
I'd probably also stand by the car shouting to ask who's car it is

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 13:39

I'd phone the police first and if they didn't arrive in short order, consider breaking the window, especially with a child in the car (if they weren't able to open the door). And if there was any comeback I'd point out that if the police response had been quicker I wouldn't have needed to do it (thereby no doubt ensuring I got done for it! but still)

Here in NSW it's illegal to leave a child in a locked car, window open or not; not sure about dogs but it gets so hot here that they could die very quickly.

onagar · 02/10/2011 13:42

They shouldn't be left in cars, but the reason you should call the police rather than smashing the window is because it is illegal. Being willing to pay the penalty is not entirely the point is it.

I think people should have to pass an intelligence test to own dogs. Far too many seem ill equipped to make adult/reasoned decisions.

pigletmania · 02/10/2011 13:44

I too would be weary of being arrested and a criminal record, in my line of work that would be a no no. So if I did see a dog in a hot car I would alert the police, tell the manager of the store/shopping centre security and give the car registration number

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 13:47

Problem is, onagar, by the time the police arrive it might be too late.

It can take less than 20 minutes for a dog to die in a hot car. It's an agonising death - their organs shut down.

That on my conscience vs a broken car window? No contest for me.

And if I'm honest, the fucker having a broken window might make him/her think twice about doing it again too.

pigletmania · 02/10/2011 13:49

valhala fair enough thats what you would do but for some they would not because of it being illegal, and the type of job that they do, if they have a criminal record than they could loose their job and thus the ramification of it all.

Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 13:51

If the dog dies, the owner could be liable for prosecution so call the RSPCA as well as the police.
Leaving the windows open makes next to no difference to the temperature inside the car.

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 13:53

piglet - a dog which has died in agony upon my conscience when I could have prevented it vs losing my job because of a criminal record and all that goes with that job loss?

STILL no contest.

pigletmania · 02/10/2011 13:55

For me no, if i lost my job, i loose my house, i am homeless no and so are my kids. No way i have to think of my own first. But it does not mean i would walk by and do nothing, just not do something illegal.

pigletmania · 02/10/2011 13:57

I would have it on my conscience if I walked by and did nothing, but if I tried to do all that i could within my remit than at leas i have tried.

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 13:57

FFS don't wait for the RSPCA to come out - chances are the dog would be long dead by the time they arrive. They often only have one "inspector" covering a huge area because they're spending all your money on captive bolt guns with which to kill healthy German Shepherds.

Seriously, they may well not arrive til it's too late. AND they have no more powers in law than you or I, they can do nothing that you can't. All they will do is possibly take out a private prosecution against the owner after the event (which anyone could do if they chose to).

NinkyNonker · 02/10/2011 16:51

I'd absolutely break the window, I can understand security fears but not just pussy footedness at breaking a window. Obviously only mega hot.

Andrewofgg · 02/10/2011 17:22

Valhalla you'll never break my window because of a dog inside because I don't keep a dog and I never will. But you would be sued - not by the owner but by his insurance company who would be entitled to use his name (and keep the proceeds) because he will have insurance against criminal damage - which will be what you have committed.

You may also face criminal prosecution because the law very rightly allows criminal damage as a last resort to save human life but not animal life; very rightly because it's only a bloody dog - a concept which appears to elude some on this and other threads.

The owner might also be prosecuted for cruelty to animals but that would not let you off the civil or criminal hook. Nor should it.

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 17:43

Andrew you fail to understand 3 vital things here.

"... you would be sued... You may also face criminal prosecution..."

I have acknowledged that more than once but I repeat I wouldn't give a monkeys! How more clearly do I need to express that before you catch on?

"it's only a bloody dog... "

This says far more about you than it does me. There is no such thing as "only" a dog.

The opinon which you gave at 2, above, increasingly causes me to dislike parts of the human race. Enough to walk on by if they were dying in a hot car, for example. After all, they're only an arrogant tosser with more regard for toeing the line than with morality.

MarginallyNarkyPuffin · 02/10/2011 17:50

Yep. With Val on this. If you leave a dog in a car in this weather you forfeit the right to a window. I would quite happily take a criminal record if it were the only way to save a life.

NYCorLondon · 02/10/2011 17:53

Is it ever considered OK to leave a dog in the car? I'd have thought that in mild/cool weather, in the shade, windows open, water available, then a dog would be comfortable? I'd be happy to sit in a car in those conditions so why not a dog if the owners have made sure the dog is comfortable?

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 17:53

"If you leave a dog in a car in this weather you forfeit the right to a window."

Excellent slogan! :o Mind if I nick it for FB, see whether it takes off amongst my lot, please? :o

toboldlygo · 02/10/2011 17:55

Andrewofgg - say you walk past a car on a baking hot day that contains a dog that is overheating to death. Not just a panting dog in a car on a hot day, one that is very obviously in severe distress, convulsing and not far from death. You wouldn't break the window?

Substitute the dog for any non-human animal if necessary, given your anti-dog agenda.

MarginallyNarkyPuffin · 02/10/2011 17:55

Of course it's ok to leave a dog in a car when it isn't at risk of dying from the heat. If it's 25+ then a car left in the sun is going to have a much higher internal temperature. It's like leaving the dog in an oven.

MarginallyNarkyPuffin · 02/10/2011 17:57

Feel free.

Vallhala · 02/10/2011 18:01

Thanks Narky :)

Andrewofgg · 02/10/2011 18:43

OK toboldlygo let's take a fly stuck in a car on a hot day. Not human but an animal. Would you break the window?

I have no anti-dog agenda; I have never kept one because I live in a flat and always have done and I think it is cruel. But people come first.

MarginallyNarkyPuffin · 02/10/2011 18:56

And apparently windows.

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