Why is it people think leaving your pet in a car with windows cracked in the heat while you shop is a good idea?
I pulled into Kroger on Ga. Highway 85 yesterday and in the next car was a large Great Dane in the back seat. The windows were barely cracked and the dog was panting. This person was grocery shopping and left this large dog locked in the car, helpless. I waited about 10 minutes, then decided to call police.
Do you think when this person came out of the store, they would drive home with the windows cracked and no air conditioning? Of course not. Animals do not sweat like humans to cool off. They need cooler air to pant to lower their body temperature, which is difficult trapped in a hot car.
Why aren’t these people ticketed? This is cruelty and is happening all over Fayetteville in hot cars in parking lots while the owner is in the air conditioned store. I have personally seen this at Lowe’s, Target, Kroger and Olive Garden.
It seems we need signs in every parking lot stating, “DO NOT leave your pet in the car unattended or you will be fined.” Why doesn’t the store put up signs? Why doesn’t the Fayette County Commission arrange for signs?
Money was spent on fancy street signs to tell us where to find places like Adams Farm, Train Depot, etc. Money was spent for flashing yellow arrows at traffic lights, because drivers didn’t know when they could turn. Really?
Summer after summer this has continued and it seems nothing is being done to control it or to stop it. Signs need to be addressed to this issue and these people need to be fined.
I hope people will do the right thing this summer. When you see a defenseless animal trapped in a hot car due to the carelessness of the owner, you will call police and be their voice. Establishments and Fayette County Commissioners and Fayetteville Council, step up and take an interest. Pet owners, leave your pets at home.
Kathleen Mann
Fayetteville, Ga.
