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Dog locked in black Toyota Corolla in Walmart parking lot

By Billie Owens

A caller complains that a dog has been locked inside a black Toyota Corolla for 20 minutes in the Walmart parking lot. The windows are down. An animal control officer is responding. The vehicle is said to be by the trees on the west side of the parking lot, in the third row.

UPDATE 2:06 p.m.: The officer reports that the vehicle was gone by the time she got there, to which the dispatcher replies "surprise."

Sally Waldron

Really? the windows were down, parked in the shade....sounds like the owner was at least consciences instead of windows rolled up and parked in the middle of the parking lot...did the caller look to see if possibly there was water in the car for the dog? Total waste of a complaint call IMO.

Jul 13, 2013, 2:11pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Sally I have to agree with you. Some animal advocates go way overboard. My personal pet peve so to speak is the rescue of feral cats. This makes as much sense as trying to tame woodchucks and raccoons. Now I do make a distinction for pets that have gone wild, as they were once domestic. But cats that have never had human contact (ie born as kittens in the wild and never socialized with people). But my problem is catching them and then forcing them to socialize, I think its a form of cruelty in of itself. Catch, spay or neuter then release them back to colony....

But either way people start to over react to these things. Then everyone jumps on the bandwagon. I know of one of these people who every time she goes to any store circles the lot to see if there are any dogs locked in cars.

Jul 13, 2013, 2:23pm Permalink
Billie Owens

It would be foolish I think to try and socialize feral cats.

But I'm all for catching them and spaying or neutering them and then letting them go. This is a controversial issue, though. But I think opponents are just sticking their heads in the sand. If they knew the problems and misery caused by the over-population of feral cats, it might change their mind.

Jul 13, 2013, 2:35pm Permalink
Sally Waldron

I actually have a cat that was feral until he was 6 months old, we caught him and although it took some time and effort, 9 years later he is my big baby and cowers next to me when we have big thunderstorms lol. He is actually my picture here and I love him to death. He still goes outside on a harness and a 50ft rope under my watch. My other cat was adopted from the shelter and was born to a feral mother and had to be socialized before he could be adopted. Both are neutered and are treated like my children since we don't have any kids of our own.

So it can be done and you can have a great pet with patience and love.
But I do agree that the catch and spay program is a great one, there are too many homeless cats that lead a miserable and short life because people will not spay or neuter, and will drop them on the side of the road when they have to move and can't take them.

Jul 13, 2013, 3:07pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Sally, thanks for your story. But I just wanted to point out that you got your kitten in time to socialize him which is great. (in fact the only time I think ferals should be kept is when they are pregnant si the kittens can be socialized) So while he was born feral he was socialized with people so is well adjusted :) Ferals are defined as cats who have been brought up to adulthood without human contact and socialization, and therefore instinctively wild.

I have two fur babies myself Sally so I completely understand the sentiment. Both of mine are strictly indoor, you can open the door with a flock of sparrows in front of it and they wont go out. My Mau will tentatively explore outside with a leash and collar but no way without. This time of year we don't go out much due to fleas and ticks. But she loves snow and the spring and fall.

Jul 13, 2013, 7:36pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

The problems with feral cats are many, inbreeding which leads to some ugly looking and deformed cats, diseases contracted and carried by them which is in turn spread to your or someone's domestic pets, they shit in yards or gardens and not just yours, they invade trash cans, etc... They are a issue and spaying or neutering them, then releasing is not a great idea. You may like feral cats but, what about your neighbor? If you catch them they should be turned in to the SPCA or other Animal Control Facilities.

Now, to stick with the main issue, they probably left the dog for 5 minutes to pick up a quick item. Maybe the caller should standby (near vicinity) until authorities arrive and ensure the animal is safe. By no means does this mean to approach and confront the owner/guardian of the animal. More than likely this would lead to further issues.

Jul 14, 2013, 5:23pm Permalink
Anne Weremblewski

You, my dear, are uneducated in how fast & hot it gets inside a parked car in the humid temperatures we've been having. I suggest you Google some articles. And if you don't believe them, go sit yourself in a hot car for that period wearing a winter coat. Then get back to us.

Jul 17, 2013, 6:02pm Permalink
Anne Weremblewski

Kyle, go sit with Sally in the car. Okay?

And this article has nothing to do with feral cats and is not your soapbox to preach your agenda here.

Jul 17, 2013, 6:03pm Permalink

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