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Individual indicted for animal cruelty for leaving dog in car
By Stephanie Flemmons, Staff Writer
Despite constant community awareness, the Plano Animal Services reported one death and cited 17 individuals for leaving their animals unattended in their vehicle this summer.
With the peak temperature this summer reaching a scorching 110 degrees, Jamey Cantrell, Plano’s Animal Services manager, said he does not understand why this problem continues to occur.
“This is something that happens more frequently than it should,” Cantrell said. “I don’t understand how people think. It is beyond me.”
“People will normally leave their windows cracked and think this is enough, but it’s not,” Cantrell said. “A dog cools themselves by panting. If it’s that hot and humid, they can’t cool down. Their temperature rises significantly. It’s sad people think their animal is going to be OK.”
According to reports, on July 4, a woman left her Scottish Terrier in her vehicle in direct sunlight for nearly three hours while inside the Denny’s located on U.S. 75.
When police arrived, the dog’s body registered at 115 degrees.
The report stated there was no water in the car.
The individual is currently being held in the Collin County Detention Center facing a felony charge.
“Under city ordinance, you are not to ever leave an animal unattended in a vehicle at any time,” Cantrell said. “You will be cited and the fines are set by a judge. You will face a class c misdemeanor. If the animal dies the police become involved and you can be charged under a state law felony.”
Cantrell stressed leaving your animal unattended anytime of the year is dangerous.
“Even at 80 degrees they are at risk of heat stroke,” Cantrell said. “They don’t sweat like humans do. Heat stroke is a horrible way for an animal to die.”
Debbie New, Animal Services coordinator, said the number of citations have remained steady the past few years.
“This year we did not have as many heat-related deaths from dogs being left in back yards,” New said. “Two years ago we had nine in a matter of a couple weeks.”
She said last year, there were no reports of a death from a animal being left in a vehicle, but there was one close call.
“We rushed the dog to the emergency clinic, and he survived,” New said.
New said she educates pet owners during every pet education class about the dangers of leaving a pet unattended.
“Sometimes the people who do this are the ones who love their animals the most,” New said. “They want to take their pet everywhere they go and they don’t think how deadly it can be.”
For information visit www.plano.gov/animalservices.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Enough wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:05 AM:
" I'm glad the authorities are cracking down on animal cruelty. If you can't take care of your pet, you don't deserve to have them. Give them to someone who WILL care for them. Isn't there enough pain and suffering on this planet without your adding to the problem? "
Sick wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:11 PM:
" This is sick. How can people be so idiotic? A dog/animal/pet is like a child. Would you intentionally leave your child in the car? No? Then don't leave your pet in the car :|
You wouldn't leave your child in the car with the "window cracked" so why do it to an animal that's even more prone to getting hot as they don't cool off the same as humans and are covered in fur? Careless idiots shouldn't own pets, and after seeing how these people treat their pets it makes me scared for their actual children. This makes me sick. I do hope Plano cracks down hard on this. "
You wouldn't leave your child in the car with the "window cracked" so why do it to an animal that's even more prone to getting hot as they don't cool off the same as humans and are covered in fur? Careless idiots shouldn't own pets, and after seeing how these people treat their pets it makes me scared for their actual children. This makes me sick. I do hope Plano cracks down hard on this. "
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