# Am I a would-be Good Samaritan or an annoying busybody? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193 "2010-11-10T17:14:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/1 "2010-11-10T17:14:24Z")
Last Sunday I was sitting on my front steps when my neighbor across the street brought one of her two dogs out to do it’s doggie business, after which she put it in the back of her car (SUV, actually). She then brought out the other one and took it back in the house when it was done. I didn’t think anything of it at first, as I know she is quite devoted to her pets and I assume wouldn’t dream of endangering them, though I did think it strange she didn’t crack any of the windows. After a few minutes I started feeling a little curious as to where she was; meantime her dog is barking its head off. I waited and waited, trying to decide what, if anything I should do. After a few more minutes I walked over to the vehicle where the dog was soundless but panting. I knocked on her door repeatedly and loudly but no answer. Feeling like I had no choice I called the non-emergency police line and explained the situation, emphasizing my concern for the neighbor as I know she usually takes excellent care of her pets. The police showed up about ten minutes later, but not before she finally came out to get the dog. I asked her if she was alright and told her what I’d done. She said she put the dog in the car because she was vacuuming and the two dogs don’t get along, blah blah blah. I suppose that’s a credible (if not particularly responsible) explanation but this woman is a little “off” and all I could think of was her explaining how she only put the cat in the microwave to dry it. Anyway, I apologize profusely and explained I was only concerned about her welfare. I explained to the cop that it was my mistake and went back to my house. I haven’t seen her since so I don’t know how deep her resentment of me runs, if at all. Do you think I did the right thing? I’m not usually a Mrs Kravitz buttinsky type but the situation really alarmed me. Was my apology sufficient or should I try to approach her and apologize again? She doesn’t seem the type to nurse a grudge but I don’t want to make things worse. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/2 "2010-11-10T17:46:38Z")
We have a dog who really, really detests the vacuum cleaner. We need to close her away from it when we vacuum. But because we live in a house with _more than one room_, we’ve never needed to use the car. People forget dogs and children in the car _all the time_. There have been dozens of stories in the news every year, and that’s just kids, not counting dogs. Butting in is excusable in this case. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/3 "2010-11-10T17:47:23Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Do you think I did the right thing? Absolutely! She’s an idiot for leaving a dog or any animal in a closed vehicle. And as you were also concerned about her welfare, good for you. Don’t feel guilty, you did exactly the right thing (especially not calling 911). ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/4 "2010-11-10T17:52:06Z")
You’re fine, dude. There’s no reason to beat yourself up. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/5 "2010-11-10T18:02:21Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > But because we live in a house with _more than one room_, we’ve never needed to use the car. Your thought is my thought. ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/6 "2010-11-10T18:03:02Z")
I agree that you’re fine. I would say at least once a month when walking my dog, I have to tell a neighbor they left their lights on, trunk open, or mini-van door open. 95% of time, I was right to do so, and they have forgotten about it and thank me. The other 5% of the time where they knew it was open, or on and they were coming right back, they still thank me. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/7 "2010-11-10T18:14:29Z")
Thanks, all. I feel slightly less shcmucky. One more thing; she says she does it “all the time”. I pray I never have to see her dog’s lifeless body be pulled from her vehicle (okay, I’ll cut the drama now). ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/8 "2010-11-10T18:17:30Z")
You were a busybody…and I’m sure that if she doesn’t know you much beyond a wave or a hello every now and then, that’s how she perceives you now. You admittedly called the police on her after her dog was in the car for only after a few minutes…what was it 10 minutes? If it had been more than a couple of hours, then yes go ahead and call. But 10 minutes? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/9 "2010-11-10T18:23:24Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > You were a busybody…and I’m sure that if she doesn’t know you much beyond a wave or a hello every now and then, that’s how she perceives you now. > > You admittedly called the police on her after her dog was in the car for only after a few minutes…what was it 10 minutes? If it had been more than a couple of hours, then yes go ahead and call. But 10 minutes? Admittedly I didn’t have a watch on but I smoked two cigarettes (no I don’t usually chain smoke; I just needed an excuse to stay outside)spent a couple of minutes just sitting there, knocked and waited at her door about four minutes and then another six or so minutes went by before she came out. Did I mention I’m in Florida? Not to get defensive, **Wilb523**. I asked for your opinion, and you may be right. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/10 "2010-11-10T18:25:57Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > You were a busybody…and I’m sure that if she doesn’t know you much beyond a wave or a hello every now and then, that’s how she perceives you now. > > You admittedly called the police on her after her dog was in the car for only after a few minutes…what was it 10 minutes? If it had been more than a couple of hours, then yes go ahead and call. But 10 minutes? A couple of hours and the dog would likely have been dead, depending on how warm it was. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/11 "2010-11-10T19:04:28Z")
Yet one more reason I don’t own a pet. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/12 "2010-11-10T19:05:44Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > A couple of hours and the dog would likely have been dead, depending on how warm it was. It’s November. Even in Miami, the average temp is 80. Dog is not gonna die in two hours. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/13 "2010-11-10T19:10:38Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > It’s November. Even in Miami, the average temp is 80. Dog is not gonna die in two hours. From: [http://www.cabq.gov/pets/caring-for-your-pet/hot-weather-tips](http://www.cabq.gov/pets/caring-for-your-pet/hot-weather-tips) > [@](#): > > On an 85-degree Fahrenheit day, for example, the temperature inside a car **with the windows opened slightly** can reach 102 degrees within ten minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. At 110 degrees, pets are in danger of heatstroke. Bolding mine. With the windows up, even at 80 degrees, it can get really hot, really fast in a car. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/14 "2010-11-10T19:18:25Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > From: [http://www.cabq.gov/pets/caring-for-your-pet/hot-weather-tips](http://www.cabq.gov/pets/caring-for-your-pet/hot-weather-tips) > > Bolding mine. > > With the windows up, even at 80 degrees, it can get really hot, really fast in a car. That’s exactly what I was thinking about. Maybe I’m hypersensitive because of the constant reports of babies being left to die in cars and the many times I’ve heard the statistic you cite. I know from eating my lunch in my car at work how hot it can get and that’s with all the window down. And I’m not even covered in fur! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/15 "2010-11-10T19:20:43Z")
Hey if the neighbor wants to kill her dog, that’s her business. :gone: ---------------------------------\> ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/16 "2010-11-10T19:22:28Z")
I think that people just don’t realize how hot it can get in a vehicle, and how fast it happens. I don’t think you did anything wrong at all. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/17 "2010-11-10T19:31:16Z")
I would first have tried to open the car door to see if I could get the dog some air, unless the neighbor was a known crazy person or the dog was known to bolt into the street. Then I would have waited with the dog for a few minutes; if the woman didn’t appear after a reasonable period I’d have left a note on the car telling her I had taken the dog because I was worried about it. I did something like this a few years ago, when I came home on a below-zero night to find my neighbor dog outside with his water bowl frozen over. I looked outside a few times and his people hadn’t come home after more than an hour, so I went over and stole him and left a note. Eventually they came over and got him, hours later, with neither an accusation nor an apology. And just this past Sunday I drove past another neighbor’s house to see their tiny, tiny toy dog out in the yard unattended, which is unusual. It was about 35 degrees. I walked back over, calling the neighbors’ names, with no answer. Knocked on the door with no result; called the wife’s phone with no answer. I picked up the shivering, wet dog and took her home. We dried her off. My husband had the husband’s cell phone number; called him, he called his wife. Turned out the wife had taken out the trash and the dog slipped out the door. She never heard me knock or call. If the neighbor was a known crazy person, I’d call the cops. Decent neighbors, just dognap it. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/18 "2010-11-10T19:54:11Z")
**Sigmagirl** , the doors were locked, which I guess is for the best. I can imagine she’d be real perturbed if I’d gone into her car. And I wouldn’t say she’s crazy, but there is definitely something way off about her, something about the way she rambles in this kind of “crazy lady” way. I kept peeking out the window, half fearing the cop was going to take her away after listening to her for a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/19 "2010-11-10T20:02:36Z")
The other thing is that the cops could have just not come if they didn’t think it was a big deal. Or told you to call back in an hour, or whatever. I’m sure you’re not the first person in your town to call about a dog locked in a car on a sunny day. (ETA: So I vote ‘not a busybody’) ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193/20 "2010-11-10T20:13:12Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > You admittedly called the police on her after her dog was in the car for only after a few minutes…what was it 10 minutes? If it had been more than a couple of hours, then yes go ahead and call. But 10 minutes? So **WOOKINPANUB** now has to wait a certain length of time? Standing there watching, or are you proposing **WOOKINPANUB** sets a timer of some kind to beep in an hour, then goes back to check on the dog? What if some distraciton intervenes? Maybe **WOOKINPANUB** should buy a scheduler to track these things? Exactly how much time and effort is **WOOKINPANUB** committed to, in order to spare the sensibilities of the neighbor? “Reasonable” is to wait a few minutes while it doesn’t inconvenience you, then go knock and just chat politely to make sure the neighbor remembers the dog. **WOOKINPANUB** did wait a while and did go knock. Several times. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-would-be-good-samaritan-or-an-annoying-busybody/560193.md?page=2)