# I Called 911 Today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999 "2010-06-05T00:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/1 "2010-06-05T00:22:21Z")
Today I was leaving Wal-mart and heard a dog barking in a car in the disabled parking area. The temp was about 90, and the mini-van was in the sun with two windows cracked a couple inches. I waited for a while but no owner came. I went into the store and they paged at least three times and the owner still didn’t show. After about a half hour, I called the police. They showed up and basically said since the dog was barking it must be okay, but he’d check on it every twenty minutes or so. He still sat in his cop car for about 15 minutes, and finally the owner came out. An old lady with 4 grandkids. “I swear, I was only in the store for 10 minutes!” I know it was at least 45 minutes, because I had the time stamp on my receipt. Not much more I could do, but I’m glad the dog was okay. StG ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/2 "2010-06-05T00:26:55Z")
You did a very good thing today - maybe after this, she won’t do it to her grandkids next. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/3 "2010-06-05T00:43:40Z")
Thank you for doing what you did. _woof_ (I’m sure the dog would thank you for caring if he/she could!) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/4 "2010-06-05T00:54:06Z")
It is absolutely not appropriate to call 911 for animal abuse. You should have called the regular police number or the animal control number. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/5 "2010-06-05T01:08:22Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > It is absolutely not appropriate to call 911 for animal abuse. You should have called the regular police number or the animal control number. I heartily disagree, **Frank**. Animal abuse _is_ a criminal offense in most localities. I would have dialed 911 and taken the chance the responding officer would chew me out. He would have more of a say as to whether or not the call was appropriate. At least the officer cared enough to watch the car until the owner returned. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/6 "2010-06-05T01:10:09Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > It is absolutely not appropriate to call 911 for animal abuse. You should have called the regular police number or the animal control number. Meh. 911 is for emergencies. A dog needlessly getting its eggs scrambled may not be the end of the world, but it is a fine reason for calling 911. These people know how to prioritize. On the other hand, don’t call 911 to report that your roommate stole your weed. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/7 "2010-06-05T01:16:23Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Meh. 911 is for emergencies. If it was a true emergency, the OP wouldn’t have farted around for 45 minutes, nor would the cops have sat in the car for 15 minutes. And I guarantee that if the cops had had anything better to do, they would have been gone like a shot. A simple criminal offense is not necessarily an offense worthy of 911. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/8 "2010-06-05T01:28:01Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I heartily disagree, **Frank**. Animal abuse _is_ a criminal offense in most localities. I would have dialed 911 and taken the chance the responding officer would chew me out. He would have more of a say as to whether or not the call was appropriate. At least the officer cared enough to watch the car until the owner returned. If the windows were left open a few inches the dog was probably fine, making the term abuse a little over the top. If the windows were closed…whole different story. It does not take much airflow for the inside of the car to be about the same temp as the outside. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/9 "2010-06-05T01:42:46Z")
I told the 911 operator exactly what was going on, so she could make a determination as to the direness of the emergency. I’d rather err on the side of a live dog. StG ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/10 "2010-06-05T02:22:32Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > If it was a true emergency, the OP wouldn’t have farted around for 45 minutes, nor would the cops have sat in the car for 15 minutes. And I guarantee that if the cops had had anything better to do, they would have been gone like a shot. > > A simple criminal offense is not necessarily an offense worthy of 911. If this were true, I would think that the 911 operator would not have sent a squad car over. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/11 "2010-06-05T02:37:31Z")
I would’ve called the non-emergency number too. Fortunately in some cities like Chicago it’s 311 so it’s not hard to remember. It’s not really that big a deal to call 911 though, because they can route calls like that through out of their emergency system so as not to block “real” emergencies like heart attacks and such. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/12 "2010-06-05T02:44:31Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > If the windows were left open a few inches the dog was probably fine, making the term abuse a little over the top. If the windows were closed…whole different story. It does not take much airflow for the inside of the car to be about the same temp as the outside. Absolutely incorrect, **drachillix**. On a mild summer day of about 73ºF, the temperature inside a car can reach 120ºF in less than 30 minutes, even with the windows cracked open a couple of inches. On a 90ºF day, the inside temperature of a car can reach 160ºF. [Cite\*](http://www.peta.org/feat/dogdays/index.html). I live in Arizona, where it can reach 110º, 115º, or even hotter, and they drill it into residents’ heads not to leave your pet in a closed car, even with the windows cracked a few inches. Even if you park in the shade. If you do, you’re gonna return to a dead dog. You can split hairs as to whether it’s abuse or not. At the least, it’s negligence, and I’m still gonna call 911. - Yes, I know the site’s PETA. So what? That information is still right. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/13 "2010-06-05T03:20:19Z")
Good job on that one. Just don’t become an old lady like my ex-wife had to deal with once. The woman called 911 in a shopping mall parking lot to report that a dog had been left in the back seat of a car. When the police came, they found poor Max sitting next to my wife while her parent’s shopped inside. You would think that leaving a child in the car would get a faster response than a standard poodle but my ex-wife was the child and 23 years old at the time and it was a nice autumn night. Nobody could ever figure that one out. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/14 "2010-06-05T03:25:16Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > If it was a true emergency, the OP wouldn’t have farted around for 45 minutes, nor would the cops have sat in the car for 15 minutes. And I guarantee that if the cops had had anything better to do, they would have been gone like a shot. > > A simple criminal offense is not necessarily an offense worthy of 911. Eh…When my apartment was burglarized, I called the local PD and they told me to call 911, even though the burglar was long gone. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/15 "2010-06-05T03:26:28Z")
Good job. I also would have called 911 and let them prioritize it. I’m just a little ticked that the cop didn’t bust a window. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/16 "2010-06-05T05:30:43Z")
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona, in Tucson, where I live, has this to say on its website: > [@](#): > > REPORTING AND RESOURCES: Contact 911 for animal-related emergencies such as confinement to hot cars and other heat-related issues. [Humane Society of Southern Arizona](http://www.hssaz.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6161&security=1021&news_iv_ctrl=-1) Also, I realize laws can vary by locality, but Arizona Revised Statute 13-2910-A7 “allows police and animal control officers to use reasonable means to remove the animal from the vehicle, including breaking out windows. Officers can take these steps and should provide emergency medical care to the animal without the owner’s knowledge or consent. If the animal suffers any serious bodily injury or death, the owner could be arrested and charged with felony-level animal cruelty.” Yes, folks, it’s a felony in Arizona to leave your pet in a vehicle during hot weather if it results in injury or death. It’s not a “simple criminal offense” at all, and citizens here are definitely encouraged to use 911 for such incidents. In fact, it is, indeed, considered a highly appropriate use of the emergency number. ---
**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:** [June 5, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/17 "2010-06-05T05:44:10Z")
Good for Arizona. I’ll add that anyone can experience this personally by sitting in the car on a sunny day, windows up or down, in a fur coat. We’re not talking about some abstract mathematical calculation here. The fact that so many people still seem to leave pets, kids and babies in cars is…well, it’s very depressing. ---
**Author:** ![NOLA\_Cajun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/18 "2010-06-05T06:19:47Z")
I would have smashed a window out. Accidentily. A man would never do that to a dog. This is why we should repeal The New Deal. Then grandmas couldn’t drive to the store and leave Phydeaux in the car. She’d have to spend her money on meds instead of gas and grandkid junk. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/19 "2010-06-06T04:43:57Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > It is absolutely not appropriate to call 911 for animal abuse. You should have called the regular police number or the animal control number. This isn’t always possible. No jurisdiction I’ve ever lived in has a “regular” number. All calls have to be routed through 911. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999/20 "2010-06-06T05:28:23Z")
You don’t have to live in a traditionally hot place for this to be a concern, either - every summer we have a news story or two here reminding us not to leave the pets or children in a car in the sun. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-called-911-today/541999.md?page=2)