There are constant warnings about leaving your kids in the car in the summer heat, but did you know leaving your pets in the car is just as dangerous.
Last Thursday, Brandon Kincaid left his dog in the car while he ran an errand.
Even though the windows were down, the dog died of heat exhaustion.
“I loved her,” says Brandon Kincaid as he wipes tears from his face. “She died alone, in a car by herself.”
Kincaid, who thought he’d only be a few minutes and took his 3 year-old pitbull Greedy along, is charged with animal cruelty.
“I went out and checked on her about every ten minutes,” recalls Kincaid, but a few minutes too long and Greedy couldn't take the heat inside the car.
“She's usually wagging her tail and (I thought) there's got to be something wrong,” explains Kincaid about when he realized Greedy wasn’t doing well. “I went out there and she wasn't breathing. I mean, I gave her CPR.”
Washington County and Johnson City Animal Control's Wayne Thomas responded to the call.
“It only takes 5 or 10 minutes for your dog to have heat exhaustion,” says the animal control officer. “And they're not going to recover from it. Most animals will not recover from it.”
Thomas says just like with kids, the heat can be deadly.
“Even with the windows down, a car can get over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes,” says Thomas. “It would be no different than leaving your kid in the car with a fur coat on.”
And the consequences are severe. The first charge of animal cruelty is a misdemeanor and the second offense is considered a felony, but worst of all your pet’s life is at stake.
“I won't tolerate it,” says Thomas. “Because there's no excuse for it. If you're going to go shopping or out buying clothes or grocery shopping, leave your pet at home.”
Now Kincaid has to live knowing his mistake was fatal.
“I'm responsible for killing my best friend,” says Kincaid hoping his mistake stops someone else from doing the same. “If you've got any sense about you, you won't do it either.”
Since Kincaid shared his story in hopes that no one else will leave their dogs in the car, Thomas says he will ask the judge to drop animal cruelty charges against the dog owner.
Thomas says this is the first time in his career he's ever made that offer.
Animal control asks that if you see a dog left in the car, report it immediately that way they can take care of the situation and ensure the animal's safety.
There are a few signs to watch out for that your dog is getting heat exhaustion. They include: a change in color in the tongue, heavy panting, and glazed eyes.
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