I always call the police when this happens, and I go into the store I believe the owner to be in and page them.

Bump. I’ve seen two cases of this within a week

Bump

Thank you for this post, unfortunately I hear of this happening way to often

As someone who works in an animal shelter that shares the building with Animal Control, your local Animal Control or the cops would be the ones to call. They can legally remove the animal from the dangerous situation and then decide whether they have a cruelty case. Breaking the window might seem tempting when your hackles are up and your temper is hot, but dealing with the legal mess afterwards isn’t going to be fun. If you can find the owner, it might mean they will let the animal out, but it could also lead to a confrontation. If you don’t have to leave, you can stay near the car and monitor the trapped animal. If s/he takes a turn for the worse you can call again and might be able to hurry help up.

This is really useful. I think the topic is especially relevant now, what with the intense heat everywhere.

Woman Smashes Car Window to Save Dog from Heatstroke

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/woman-smashes-car-window-to-save-dog-from-heatstroke.html#ixzz1zbQkvLRG

You are supposed to call the police. I once watched a “What would You Do” episode of this, and the professionals who spoke on the topic said that its appropriate to call the police as animal welfare and animal cruelty is not tolerated by the police…

Thia seems like such an easy issue to fix. It’s obvious; when a child is left in a car, a window or two is cracked open and the “owner” of that child is consciously aware of them (they won’t leave them there for hours on end, usually a few minutes while they run into a store). Most would find it horrifying to find a child left in a hot car for hours on a hot day. Why are dogs any different? Also, people often forget to bring water out for their dog when they have them with them all day. You wouldn’t wanna spend a hot day without water, your dog won’t either. Common sense, people!

“There’s no easy answer”

The answer actually is pretty easy.
If you think you can quickly find the person who owns the car (you can have an employee page for them if they’re in a store), do that.
If you can’t find the person quickly, call the police and ask them how long it will take for them to get there. If they can’t get there quickly, break the window.

It is amazing I mean come on, why do people either don’t care or think oh it’s fine i’ll just be gone a minute, really? Would you leave a new born baby in the car? Nope, so don’t leave animals in there either!

It’s amazing how many people still do this despite all the awareness campaigns.

Bump for awareness.

Most of us are all too familiar with the feeling of dread that comes upon us when we pass by the window of a car and realize that a dog has been left inside on a hot day. What should I do? Do I break the window? Do I call the police? Do I try to find the car owner? There’s no easy answer, unfortunately, and those decisions are ones that only you can make, but now you can be better prepared for your next encounter.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/what-to-do-when-you-see-a-dog-in-a-hot-car.html#ixzz1zPC8RVg7