On a hot summer afternoon in Dedham, Massachusetts, a pair of huskies were found in distress, tied to a parked car in the sweltering heat of a parking lot at Legacy Place. Dedham Animal Control was alerted to the situation around 3 p.m. last Friday after two individuals noticed the dogs and quickly reported their concern, as per a Boston 25 News report. The temperature at the time stood at 89 degrees, and the responders said, the dogs had been lying on the hot pavement for at least 45 minutes.
When the animal control officer arrived at the scene, they found the huskies lying underneath the vehicle in an attempt to find shade and some relief from the scorching pavement. The dogs were panting heavily, underscoring their distress in the oppressive heat. The same scene was captured in a video, showing the panting huskies with their tongues out, which was detailed by a WHDH news segment. Meanwhile, a thunderstorm was brewing, further exacerbating the potential danger for the dogs.
The owner of the dogs was tracked down after the animal control officer found a phone number on one of the dog’s collars. According to reports, the owner, who was inside a clothing store getting "fitted for a suit," argued that tying the dogs outside was a better option than leaving them inside the hot car. He asked for "just another nine minutes" to complete his suit alterations when contacted, as described in an encounter reported by Boston 25 News. The owner was subsequently cited under the Massachusetts law that prohibits leaving dogs in conditions that pose an adverse risk to their health or safety.
Dedham Animal Control used this incident to remind the public of the dangers, and legalities of leaving dogs in such extreme conditions, as stated in a citation contained within a WCVB article. According to Mass. General Laws c.140 § 174E, one should not leave a dog outside in weather that could harm their health based on the dog’s breed, age, or condition, unless the tethering is for less than 15 minutes. Animal Control also recognized the actions of the good Samaritans named Olivia and Tayler, who not only alerted them but also provided ice and water for the huskies, as noted in a Facebook post cited by Boston 25 News.
