The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department recently shared a story that starts out horrible, but has the most wonderful happy ending ever. Officers were called June 20 to a hotel on a report of a dog left in a vehicle in the parking lot.
The reason people knew a dog was trapped in a hot car is because the German Shepherd was honking the car horn to alert people to where he was.
The police department posted on Facebook, “In a touching display of humanity, IMPD Public Safety Officer (PSO) Poe has given a second chance at happiness to a dog that was left to suffer in a hot vehicle. PSO Poe was on scene when two dogs and a cat were left inside a vehicle in 90 degree heat with no air conditioning and windows barely cracked. Tragically, one of the dogs died before officers could get to it. PSO Poe reached out to Indianapolis Animal Care Services inquiring on how to adopt the resilient German Shepherd.”
Related: Leaving Dogs in Cars Can Be Lethal
The post goes on to say, “Well, we are happy to announce that PSO Poe has adopted the German Shepherd, Abby! Abby is already at her new FURever home and is in great hands. PSO Poe mentioned, “I switched her collar, and it was like Abby knew she was home for good”.
How wonderful is this story? It’s always so great when a dog survives after being trapped in a hot car, but the fact Abby was adopted by the person who rescued her is just so wonderful.
We just know she’s going to have the most amazing life ever.
How To Help a Dog in a Hot Car
Leaving a dog in a locked car is never a good idea, especially in warmer temperatures. The Humane Society explains that when it’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 99 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes.
If you do see a dog in a locked car, the first thing you should do is try and locate the owner. if the car is parked in parking lot by a business, alert the management to make an announcement and try to locate the owner.
The Humane Society also states that:
If the owner can’t be found, call the non-emergency number of the local police or animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive. In several states, good Samaritans can legally remove animals from cars under certain circumstances, so be sure to know the laws in your area and follow any steps required.
Call your local animal control agency’s number and the police department’s non-emergency number so you can quickly report the situation, and stay by the car until help arrives.
No dog should be left in a hot car, and it’s especially dangerous to leave puppies alone in a car. We all owe it to dogs everywhere to report these problems when we see them, and to get help for a dog left alone in a car as soon as possible.