Thank you justice

So not really sure who per se I should really be thanking but first I feel as though I owe myself some kudos.

Secondly I would like to thank Cranberry Magisterial Judge Kovach for helping me to fight the right fight today.

Ok quick re-cap for those that may not know...

In May I had to go to Costco for work, basic monthly supplies.

When I got there, there was a vehicle parked near the door of the store with the window down ~9" with a little white/tan dog hanging his very cute little head out of the window.

Now anyone who knows me knows that my capacity to walk by such things is nominal. But I restrained my self, asked the two young men working how long the vehicle had been parked there, neither was sure but both commented that they had tried to give the dog water.

I make a mental note of said situation; trips to Costco aren't usually brief but hey I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for right now.

I do my shopping, I come out, dog, still in truck, still now owning humans. Couple people stop as I stop with my cart next to the dog commenting that the police had been called and or that they would take the dog. Various comments along the lines of people like that don't deserve to have dogs, etc. Typical melodramatic non-sense.

I take my cart to my truck, empty my belongings, and am then sitting in my front seet feeling very verklempt about the whole thing.

I work in veterinary medicine, I can't just walk by and do nothing... I look at the mirror, 75 degrees, and it is very sunny.

I pull my truck up next to the dog vehicle, make sure he still seems ok; he's hot but he's managing. Go into the store to try to get an announcement made, Costco has no PA system.

Now I stand there next to the dog trying to keep an eye on timing. According to the AVMA on a sunny day 75 ambient temp equates to about 110 after 30 min and I know it's at least been that long.

Still no police. I call the animal hospital listed on the pet's rabies tag, number not in service. Well now we're pushing 40 min and likely 115 degrees. So the window is down far enough I am able to get the dog without hurting him or the vehicle, set him in my truck with the A/C running and a bowl of water on the floor. After a few more minutes we try to find said owner in the store but I can't really go about the store walking a dog.

So we go back out and I finally decide I need to get back to work. If I leave the dog's leash on the mirror someone may take him, and I don't want the person to come out and not have their dog anymore, so I go back inside, leave a note with customer service as to the clinic I work for and my number so the individual can retrieve said pet; I leave an identical note on the driver seat of the vehicle.

Off to the clinic we go, he's finally cooled off a bit and no longer panting like mad. I feel a little better.

Back to work.  Call the county and get a phone number via the licence on the collar, no answer, leave a message. Pup then relaxes in a kennel until the police call, guy is at the local station looking for his dog. Ok no big deal, I'm happy to bring him back, just didn't want him to end up dying from being to hot.

Guy is pissed when I get there, cursing at me about how I should have minded my own f***ing business and the dog had water he was fine. I try to calmly explain I was just worried and animal health care is what I do, just trying to look out, sorry if I caused any offense. Glowering looks, more cursing and then he wanders out grumbling about how I am going to get what's coming.

The officer then proceeds to explain while morally and ethically he understands, that legally what I did what wrong. I should have waited for the police. I apologize and explain I was just trying to look out for the welfare of the dog.

He reads some legislation about taking people's property, essentially accusing me of theft, and says he's not sure what is going to come of all this. He has my name and info, he'll be in touch if I'm going to be arrested.

WAIT WHAAT!!! says the voice in my head, but I smile and nod and go about the rest of my day.

Few weeks go by and, nothing. Ok fine they determined what I did while maybe not the best route wasn't whole wrong.

WRONG

I get a citation in the mail saying I'm being charged with disorderly conduct for causing the person unwarranted grief because his pet was removed from his vehicle.

Well I immediately fill that out not guilty and send it back along with what I believe was a very well written letter to the magistrate regarding the incident and supporting my position in the situation, week or so later my summons for court arrives...



Well needless to say today was court day. Ironically the officer who sent me the citation had to be sent off for additional training and was unavailable. So they ask if I want a continuance or if I would like to talk to the judge.

I'll talk thanks, I want this over with.

I have all my supporting documents previously mailed as well as legislation I found that was passed in September of 2015 regarding leaving animals in vehicles unattended and what citizens can do, and an article published in September of 2015 from the Animal League Defense Fund that more clearly dives into what a "hot car" is and who and what constitutes removing an animal from a harmful environment.

Fortunately the Judge was willing to see myself and one other individual. Calls my name, looks at the papers... Disorderly conduct is something officers use commonly as a catch all when they aren't really sure what if any charges can be brought forward. That in mind I am considering this case dismissed on basis of improperly filed paperwork... was the jist of the conversation.

I appropriately thank him for his time and back to work I go. Feeling not only relieved that the whole thing is over, but also satisfied that where I though no good deed would go unpunished; sure the non-sense to get to the end could be considered punishment, in the end I was able to show someone that I had done what was right by that creature and I didn't deserve to be penalized for that.

So back to the beginning, thank you Judge for serving justice today, even more so giving me a few more shreds of hope for humanity.

Oh and to my comment about my compilation of information, the judge did say that he read everything I sent, so I feel better about having taken the time.

After all the worst he could do was say no right?