110 degrees, 2 dogs left in a car, I called the PD

[Coventina]

Yesterday it was 110 degrees in Phoenix. I was at the grocery store, loading my groceries into my car when I noticed that the car next to me had two small dogs in it.

I noticed this because the dogs were whining at me.

Now, the windows were rolled down, so they could get "fresh air", heck, they could have jumped out if they wanted to. But still, I was very concerned as it was so hot, and even hotter inside a vehicle even with the windows rolled down. Plus, they were very small dogs, who would overheat more quickly than bigger dogs.

I ran inside the store and alerted an employee who told me that the store does not call on those situations as it's a "moral choice" and they are not allowed to get involved. But she encouraged ME to call the police and even gave me the non-emergency number.

So I did.

I then left, as I had frozen foods that were rapidly unfreezing. But as I pulled out of my parking space I suddenly noticed that there was a KID in the back seat, who I hadn't even noticed up to that point!!

I'm not sure if that made it better, or worse. The kid looked to be about 7 years old or so. Old enough to be left in a car alone I suppose. But still, in that kind of heat? Was he supposed to be watching the dogs?

But, jeez, we get repeated warnings about trying to avoid the heat when it gets real hot around here. We're told to keep pets indoors, etc. It just seemed pretty irresponsible to me.

I guess that makes me a concern troll?

:shrug:

[NMDemDist2]

1. no, and when you saw the kid, it was time to call 911

the heat in PHX is nothing to play with,.......

[Buzz Clik]

14. Exactly. An unattended child in an open car in oppressive heat?

No brainer.

[davepc]

2. Good thing you got out of there before your frozen foods defrosted.

[geek_sabre]

15. +1

:thumbsup:

[SidDithers]

24. Another +1...nt

Sid

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Dang. I would have called back and mentioned the kid.

[Fridays Child]

4. You did the right thing.

Judging from your description of the situation, the dogs weren't in danger but the child should not have been left in the car.

[napi21]

5. I'd love to know if the cops came and what they did. I don't have any kids

at home anymore, but I've always been very concious of the dangers of leaving kids or animals in a car in the heat. On a few occasions we have left our 2 Bichons in the car while we ran into a store for a quick stop, BUT we always lock the car & leave it running with the A/C on.

[YOY]

6. No...you made a right call.

It's Arizona to boot. I've lived in Glendale before...hot as hell in the summer time.

I hope they at least left water for the pooches...prolly didn't.

The kid...well there is no fucking excuse or "water bowl" that can make it better.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. AZ doesn't have specific law re: leaving a child under age 10 unattended

But, Marana passed an ordinance a while back that kids 10 and under must have someone age 14 or older with them.
http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=9792145


Am glad you called on the dogs, and hopefully, the cops came and found the kid, too.

[ZombieHorde]

8. "Yesterday it was 110 degrees in Phoenix."

Insane. I hope I never go to Phoenix in the summer time.

[Coventina]

11. It's supposed to be 115 by Saturday.

My brother calls it "golfing weather" because the course fees are so cheap during these super hot spells.

[ZombieHorde]

13. Fire would wilt in that heat. You should flee in the safety of the night.

[City Lights]

9. I think it's great that you got involved.

I'm sure the dogs and kid would thank you if they could.

Too bad there's no cure for teh stoopid.

When I lived in AZ (Fountain Hills), the mayor got raked over the coals for leaving his kid in the car. Claimed he was only running in the store for a minute. With the AZ summer heat, it's never a good idea to leave anything you care about in the car, even if you're only planning on making a quick stop.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

10. I wish that there were more people like you!

Good job. I wonder if the people concerned were fined?

[doodadem]

12. You did the right thing

Although, I think I'd have called back and told them about the kid. They may have not put a rush on saving dogs, but its a different story when its a human kid turning into a tostada.

[geek_sabre]

16. I do hope you turned back when you saw the kid... nt

[JANdad]

17. Well perhaps

you should have waited if your concern was so great...

After all whats a couple of frozen pizzas when the life of a child is on the lone...

But then perhaps you may have seen that the parent forgot her checkbook at the counter and ran back in to get it...ya never know do ya

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. +1

But then perhaps you may have seen that the parent forgot her checkbook at the counter and ran back in to get it..ya never know do ya.:thumbsup:

[Maru Kitteh]

18. You left behind a child in danger - for frozen foods?

What if the police didn't come, went to the wrong location, couldn't find the car?

Christ almighty.

I guess that makes you something alright.

[undeterred]

19. 110 degrees is too hot to sit in an unattended car

whether you're a child or a pet.

[Fleshdancer]

21. that pisses me off

I was already pissed about the dogs. Finding out about the kid really sets me over the edge. :grr:

[TexasObserver]

22. Normally, I like hot dogs ...

[Vidar]

23. You did the right thing.

[SidDithers]

25. You saw the kid, and continued to drive away?...

or did you go back?

Sid