Sheriff Smashes Car Window to Rescue Overheated Dogs

[ColesCountyDem]

17. I've done the same thing.

I called 911 and was told that it might be 'several minutes' before an officer could respond. When I told the dispatcher that the dog was not moving, but that it was still breathing, she again said it might take several minutes for an officer to respond, as they were all handling other matters at that time. I told the dispatcher that I didn't think the dog would survive 'several minutes', and that I was going to smash the window with a broken piece of concrete lying nearby, to which she replied, "Do what you need to do". I could almost hear the 'wink, wink' in her voice.

I broke the car window, retrieved the little terrier mix, put him in the shade and poured water on him that another bystander gave me. About 15 minutes later, the police officer arrived, gave me HIS bottle of water, took our oral statements, ran the license plate, called animal control, etc. . About that time, the car's owner emerged from from a nail salon, screeching like some demented harpie about... wait for it... her broken car window!

To make a long story short, I was not arrested, she was arrested (felony animal abuse), the dog was rushed to a vet, survived and was later adopted.

Don't be afraid to do the right thing-- ever!