Leaving Pets in Hot, Unattended Vehicles Is Inhumane, Illegal

Julie Brown-Patton, editor of the Eureka-Wildwood Patch, walked out to her car after a recent meeting at Barnes & Noble in Crestwood and found a Maltese dog left unattended in the car next to hers. It was 86 degrees and the car was parked in the sun.

Patton shook her head and drove away, but out of concern for the dog, she turned around and drove back to the store. The dog was still there panting, sitting alone in the driver's seat. The owner had still not come out. Meanwhile, another customer pulled up and he and Patton waited to no avail. Finally, the other driver went into the store to talk to the manager and try and find the owner.

In Oakville, the police or animal control can and should be called in situations like this, especially with the heat warning being extended through the weekend. Animals shouldn't be left unattended in temperatures over 70 degrees.

St. Louis County Police Officer Mike Schira said that when called, they do their best not to break open the car. They first will talk with the reportee to give an idea to how long the vehicle has been unoccupied. the temperature of the day and how long they observe the vehicle before the owner comes, if he or she comes. They then will "jimmy" the lock first and try to make contact with the owner. 

"We most likely cite them for cruelty and then write a report, but first we don't know exactly who the owner is, who put the animal in the car, so animal control will take it to the vet," Schira said. "The vet will determine the severity of the case, and that determines if it's a misdemeanor or a felony."

If you find an animal in a hot, unattended vehicle in Oakville, call St. Louis County Animal Control South at 314-726-6655 or the St. Louis County Police at 314-892-1510.

See related stories:

Never Leave Pets in Vehicles When Temperatures Are 70 or Higher

'Dog Days Of Summer' Kill Dogs

Oakville Patch editor Alyssa Stahr contributed to this report.