Disturbing news of dogs, horses and children being neglected

The following headline was in the Star-Exponent this week:  “Dog of Richmond SPCA CEO dies after being left in car for four hours.”

To give this woman a sliver of the benefit of the doubt, supposedly her husband put the 16-year-old dog in the car without his wife’s knowledge. She proceeded to get in the car and drive all the way to work without noticing the dog in the car.

Again — benefit of the doubt — I’m sure she’s experiencing some of the worst guilt she’s ever felt in her life. But am I the only person who actually looks in the car when I get in?

This incident was supposedly an accident, but there are many animals and children who die each year from being left in a car. There’s been more than one occasion when I’ve either spoken to a store manager after seeing a dog left in the car with the window cracked an inch or less.

There’s also been more than one occasion when I’ve called Animal Control to intervene when there’s been a dog tied up, outside in the head, with no water in sight. One particular incident happened at Yowell Meadow Park.

A gorgeous brown pit bull was tied to a bench beside the basketball court, with only three feet of leash and no water in sight. She was so sweet, and it was so hot, so I gave her some water from my bottle. I desperately wanted to take her home with me.

And kids left in cars? Here’s a gem for you that I found on MSNBC.com this week: “Man leaves kids in car while visiting strip club.”

Yes, Culpeper, these people are reproducing.

Years ago, when we were on vacation, we had a chance to visit Foxwoods Casino (pre-child). There are signs all over the parking lot stating that anyone leaving their children unattended in the car at the casino will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Duh!

Now, I’m not the brightest bulb in the pack, but let’s get back to asking how people forget their child or animal is in the car. For the love of God, I look to see if I’ve left perishables or some other junk in there before exiting the vehicle.

It’s worth mentioning, however, that I did leave the rent money and the purse in which it was contained at a McDonald’s about 14 years ago. I blamed pregnancy amnesia. Thankfully, I remembered about half an hour later, and the wonderful folks at McDonald’s kept my purse safe until I got there to pick it up, rent money and all.

There was a grisly scene that unfolded on a farm in Orange County in the past couple of weeks, more specifically, Mine Run. The farm contained horses that were malnourished, as well as horses scattered around the pastures that had been dead for some time. There were also dogs in crates that had no food or water, and one horse contained in a trailer — also with no food or water and no telling how long it had been there.

So, here’s the deal. The woman charged with these multiple cases of animal cruelty hires her uncle as her attorney. All counts of animal cruelty are considered misdemeanors. Are you kidding me?!

“Steep fines and possible jail time?!” Now the uncle/attorney has requested ownership of one of the horses. Thankfully, the Orange County Animal Control Office is fostering out all but one of the horses (which is still being cared for at Animal Control.)

It still amazes me that the court systems let these people have animals when they’ve shown the grossest form of mistreatment. There’s an old saying, “Past behavior predicts future performance.”  And, even grosser misconduct, are people who have left their children in the car to go to strip clubs!

They’re still reproducing.

And no one can stop them.
Smith’s column runs every Friday on the editorial page.