Three Dogs Rescued from Hot Cars at Phish Concert

July 20, 2022

Three people face animal cruelty charges after leaving their dogs in cars without water or ventilation during a Phish concert in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Charlie, Lucky and Lulu were rescued by police officers at the Roland Smart Public Safety Compound. After removing the pups from their vehicles, officers gave them water and cooling fans. This is one of several similar rescues that occurred earlier this summer.

With the recent heat wave, it’s important to know what to do if you see a dog in a hot car.

The Rescue

According to a Facebook post made by the Mansfield Police Department, bike officers assigned to the concert found the three pups thanks to “alert and compassionate passers-by.” The dogs were taken to Tufts Veterinary Emergency Services in Walpole, where they were evaluated and found to be in good health.

The post also notes that the dogs’ respective owners face animal cruelty charges. They also face charges for breaking a Massachusetts-specific law against leaving an animal in a hot car.

Taking preventive measures, the MPD placed two electric signboards on a main road to remind concert-goers that leaving pets in hot cars will not be tolerated. One signboard says, “Pets left in hot cars? Not cool.” The other reads, “Bad Owners will go to the Pound”.

Many states have made it illegal to leave pets in hot cars, possibly resulting in jail time for irresponsible owners.

What To Do if You See a Dog in a Hot Car

If you see a dog in a hot car, here are some steps you should take to ensure their safety — and your own.

Your first steps should be to notify the establishment where the car is parked. Then call your local animal control agency or the police if the car owner does not fix the situation.

If the animal is showing clear signs of heatstroke or other distress symptoms and you feel as though immediate action needs to be taken, breaking a window may seem like the logical next step. Some states protect good Samaritans who damage cars to save pets from heat-related danger. Some do not. It’s a good idea to be familiar with your state’s laws on this topic. It’s also important to note that breaking glass is dangerous. If done incorrectly, you could hurt both yourself and the pup you’re trying to rescue.

The best solution is to leave your dog comfy at home where there’s more space, water, and shade.