We can't speak dog, but as humans go, we are smart enough to figure out that a dog panting means he/she is hot. We should be smart enough to know that in 78F Degree weather, a locked vehicle with the windows up its hot enough to harm a pet.



This past week-end I get a call from my wife who asks me to find out Natick Mall Security's number, after asking why I need to do that, she tells me that some kids were thinking about breaking a window in the parking lot, because someone left a little dog locked, leashed and the leashed tied in a car; "Windows up?" was my first question, "YES!" she responded.



My first thought was to tell her to find a rock and break the window herself... but, I am not one to condone vandalism so I told her I would call Natick PD.



I called Natick PD and the dispatcher asks me for information that I really did not think about, like Color, Make and Model of the car; let me find out and call you back.



I get the info from my wife, and called them back, I get told that the Natick Mall Security were taking care of it. I thought Great! Things will get taken care of soon.



I called my wife to let her know and she informs me that security was there and kids had moved on and car is safe, but said that "there was nothing we can do, it's up to the police"... in regards to the little dog. NOTHING? Really? What world are we living in, that we care more about a car than a pet?



Now I'm beyond upset, thinking, it's a good thing I'm not there because I would have broken the window, and give that little dog some fresh cooler air, water and start the process of cooling.



I can't vent, other than Facebook, so I post what is unfolding, and I get many requests for "breaking the window", at this point the thought is really going in and out of my mind; My wife comes home to pick me up, and I get a few calls from friends one of them who works at an animal rescue place informs me that she will meet me at the mall, she has the water, bowl, cooling blankets and a rock! "Did you say a Rock?", Ok, I'll see you there.



Upon arrival, Natick PD is already at the car, and from what I saw a failed attempt to 'slim-jim' the door open, so, we wait... and wait... just over one hour now since the first call from my wife, and who knows how long before that!; but we wait, I manage to snap a shot of the little one, who appears to be 'panting' and alert, my friend arrives and the rock stays in the car, police were in charge at this time, we're waiting. My friends talks to the police, and please don't get me wrong, I have no issues with the police, but what he says next really irked me, "It's not that hot out"... the problem is not the outside weather, the problem is the heat inside that oven-like interior!!!



The car unlocks and light flashes, signaling that the owner is nearby, the police officer asks if that's their dog, they say yes, and even mention that they were not there that long, I don't know the math, but 78F degrees outside, for about 1hr 10mins, I'm sure the temp inside is more like an oven at this point.



They refused to let us give the dog water, and even make snide remarks like "oh, poor you had to wait an hour" I start getting a bit verbal because the little dog can't really say "Hey stupid, I'm hot in here" the police says something that I really did not hear but I got the jest that he really did not want us there.



We walk away to let the police do their duty, to our surprise, the police just leaves... All the police got was a license and that's it! they can go, all is well... Now I'm just plain disappointed in the way our justice works, BUT, in the Police defense, as far as I know, there is no law agains leaving a dog unattended in a car, which confuses me because there is: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 272, Section 77 which deals with "Cruelty to Animals" and part of it says the following:



