If you witness a dog in a car -- even with windows down or cracked -- AND the animal appears to be in distress due to the HEAT INDEX,
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!!
While you are waiting for law enforcement (has seizure power) or animal control (typically does not have seizure power in rural and outstate areas), use your best judgment on what to do. I need to add that no humane society in Missouri has seizure power.
By all means, put your cell phone camera to good use, and take videos;
Request others to serve as witnesses, AND ask witnesses to enter the business for tepid water and to locate the vehicle owner;
Try to entice the dog out of the car at your own risk, if a small dog and a window is open;
Perform pet CPR if necessary;
NEVER put cold water on the underside of a dog who is in distress--this can cause cardiac arrest;
If possible, transfer the dog to air conditioning in a vehicle or business;
Offer the dog tepid water;
Be prepared to offer to transport the dog to an animal clinic.
Yes, a window can be broken. Yes, there are consequences. I believe that any animal advocate--including myself--is willing to take that chance rather than watch a dog expire. Again, cell phone videos are invaluable AND admissible.
On two occasions, the AC was left on for the pets, but the cars were no longer running. On those occasions, 911 was called; a sheriff's department was dispatched; deputies broke the windows. This happened in Pettis County.
Please do what is best for yourself at the moment, while doing whatever you possibly can to save the life of the dog! I would appreciate any feedback on law enforcement who helped, OR did not help.
Thank you for protecting those who have no voice.
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