Comments on: The time I almost got arrested for Animal Cruelty.

By: David

David — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:28:09 +0000

Does anyone know if the same situation that happened to Matt can happen if you leave the A/C on? I often leave the dog in the car for a few minutes but I always use remote start so the A/C goes on…

By: Veg

Veg — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:09:32 +0000

I appreciate that people care about the welfare of these dogs, but I also think this sort of response can be excessive. Awareness can be encouraged without the threats and fines and public humiliation. I’m referring to cases like the one initially described, not obvious cases of cruelty or neglect.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:40:44 +0000

On a 75 degree day, the interior of a car can reach 100 degrees in just 10 Minutes. In 30 minutes it can reach 120 Degrees. Not to mention the humidity that the inside of a car can get, especially when theres a wet dog inside.

By: Albany Chris

Albany Chris — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 03:40:06 +0000

Yeah Yeah Yeah, someone learned something useful from this. You were gone 5 minutes. Your dog was wet. It was only 75 out. It was 7 Freakin PM. Give me a break. Yet lots of dogs have died painful deaths from owners who didn’t realize how bad things could get that quickly. BUT Matt wasn’t one of them and his dog wasn’t in danger. Freaking police state these days.

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 05:00:44 +0000

As you know, I have 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks- dogs that were bred to live in the hottest parts of Africa. When we turn the AC on for them because it’s a hot, humid day, they sit by the door and wait to be let outside. Last year when it was 103 degrees, they sat outside in the sun all day and happily panted (even though we kept encouraging them to come in and kept trying to give them water). I wonder if we left our dogs in the car on a cold winter’s day whether it would be considered animal cruelty…

By: Handsome

Handsome — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:16:40 +0000

I’m with pull my finger. Similar situation happened to me at Price Chopper, except it wasn’t that hot out that day. Some lady had me paged to the service counter. When I went outside to my car, after about 3 mins and 27 seconds, the lady was standing there next to my car. I’m not sure what she thought she was going to accomplish, but I’m pretty sure some of the words that came out of my mouth she had never heard before. I’m also sure she’s mastered minding her own busniess ever since that day as well. Just being honest. You’re welcome.

By: maggiemay

maggiemay — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:40:30 +0000

Thank you for being honest about this.

By: pull my finger

pull my finger — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:08:56 +0000

Not doubting the severity of heat in a parked car, but windows down so the animal canstick it head out to pant??? C’mon, musta’ been a slow day for the “dogooders”.. I mean it is not as though you had the windows shut and were gone for 20 minutes, right???

By: heather

heather — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:19:28 +0000

Thank you for not only educating others who might not know but being brave enough to admit this!

By: judy

judy — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:04:25 +0000

Once again you made me laugh after a real shitty day! Your wit just kills me. (Glad to see mostly “Matt” posts again!)

By: acw

acw — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:14:59 +0000

My boyfriend and I were walking from Madison to the Starbucks by Albany Med a few weeks ago (one of those REALLY hot days) and noticed a dog in a van. When we were walking back, about 20 minutes later, the poor dog was still there, panting in the window. I called Animal Control but it was a Sunday so I got directed to the cops. I figured they’d be dismissive about the whole thing, but 10 minutes later 2 cops were there, and then after a while, the dog was taken out and the van was towed. But I don’t judge you Matt. Before then, I always kind of thought if I left the windows and sunroof open my dog would be fine, but now I refuse to be a hypocite and do the same as you — either don’t take her with me, or hope that a car theif won’t be interested in a beat up Saab with a maniac rat terrier in it. Also, my mom locked me in the car in July when I was 2 so I’m sensitive to this.

By: MD

MD — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:11:38 +0000

Is this one of your made up stories?

By: Jillian

Jillian — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:41:49 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. I have left my dog in the car for a couple minutes or so with the air on while running into the pharmacy/post office/liquor store. If you want to do that without risking a car jacking, get a car starter!! You can leave the car and the A/C running and keep your dogs safely locked inside at the same time.

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:40:18 +0000

Unfortunately, we don’t know until we know. Thanks so much for sharing your story!

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:26:39 +0000

I still <3 you and burritos, Matt! I did send this post to my fiance who doesn't believe me when I say that leaving out 2 tiny dogs in the car for even 5-10 minutes could lead to death. Thanks for proving me right!