Question for dog owners

I went to the supermarket just about a half hour or so ago and parked my car next to another car which was running with a barking and jumping dog in it.

Now my guess is that there was a/c on in the car to keep the dog comfortable though I do not think it was hot enough to warrant a/c - a cracked window would have sufficed. It was late in the day and cool.

Is it me or is the owner completely moronic for leaving a jumping dog in a running car when the dog could easily have dislodged the gears and sent the car forward in a crowded parking lot? Im just over this.

Re: Question for dog owners

IMO it's nuts to leave a dog in a car period!

Re: Question for dog owners

I agree but even people need to make pit stops on the way home from where ever they are bringing their dogs from. I just think this had the potential for a serious problem. I wish there had been a cop around, but had I called for one, the owner probably would have returned before they got there. The two little kids walking past the car as I was going to mine would have been flat as pancakes had anything happened - as far fetched as it may seem. The car did not have a console with a button to press. It had the gears on the wheel.

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that person was an idiot...I never bring my dog in the car unless its to a place he can come in with me..

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I've never done it- but I would if I needed to. My car requires that you push in a button to get it out of park though......

Re: Question for dog owners

I leave Scout in the car all the time -- he loves it. I would never ever leave it running tho. As you said, the dog could put the car in gear!

Before you bash me.....I leave the skylight open and the windows cracked. If it is too hot, I don't take him in the car.

Re: Question for dog owners

Misty loves being in the car...while it's off

I would worry about the car being put in gear also, although most cars today have a button on the side of the gear shift that has to be pushed to get the car out of park.

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I never leave my car with it running. I'm paranoid and I think someone would steal it (It has happened to 2 people I know). So IMO, this person is crazy to leave their car running unattended in a parking lot.

I dont think the dog could have put the car into gear. You have to press the brakes and press a button to get the car out of park.

As for the dog, I would leave my dog in the car only if it was a quick stop and I could see the car from where I'm going. Like I said before, I'm paranoid and I'm afraid someone would try to steal my dog too.

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I know I may seem slightly paranoid. It was just a little unsettling to me. It is very possible that this person had an automatic start with an immobilizer so the car wouldnt go anywhere. It just seemed a lil dangerous to me. Weird things happen all the time.

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I would never leave my dog in the car unattended, esp with the engine running.

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Re: Question for dog owners

I wouldn't leave my car running but I have left my dogs in the car while I ran into a store really quickly. (I'm talking 5 minutes at the most.)

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Dammit now I want a dog. Grrr to landlord for not allowing them and double grrr to DH for not liking them at all.

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You're right, that wasn't too smart. It's unlikely the dog would put the car in gear, but you just never know... I wouldn't risk it.

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And what if the dog locked the doors!!

Ebony has done this while we were IN the car so I am sure could do it very easily --- and then how does the driver get in???

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Re: Question for dog owners

Re: Question for dog owners

I would never do that; despite the fact that to get my car out of park you have to press down the break.

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Re: Question for dog owners

I bring my dog in the car too if I am just running somewhere real quick. Its a chance for him to get out of the house and he loves it.

But I would NEVER leave te car on. I also never leave him in the car when its too hot or too cold.

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Re: Question for dog owners

It's funny that you mention this. Last week I went to a restaurant for lunch. Outside was an old caddilac running w/ the a/c on and a shihtzu (sp?) inside sleeping on a pillow on the front seat.
The OWNER of the place was watching me as I was helping my grandma out of the car and into the restaurant and held the door open for us and as we walked in a guy at the bar said "Hey, they weren't trying to steal my dog were they?" to which the whole bar laughed--- I said no, but if it's still there on my way out I might steal your car! (half jokingly but def. w/ an annoyed tone). He was there for like 20 mins more complaining about how his wife makes him bring the dog everywhere and how she would die if anything ever happened to the dog.... some people are so stupid!

Re: Question for dog owners