SPCA Executive’s Dog Dies in Hot Car
August 27, 2009 by Heather R.
Filed under Pets
Last week, Robin Starr, the CEO of the Richmond, Virginia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), accidentally left her 16-year-old blind and deaf dog in her sweltering car for four hours when she headed in to work.
She claims she didn’t realize that Louie, who often went with her to work, was in the car with her since her husband had put the dog in that morning while Starr was getting ready for work. However, she says her husband had forgotten to tell her he had done so.
Louie, who was suffering from heat stroke, was initially treated by a vet at the SPCA but later transported to a different vet. Sadly, he was beyond help by that point and died of kidney failure. The outside temperatures had reached 91 degrees and inside a closed car that can mean temperatures above 120 degrees in just half an hour.
This is tragic no matter how you look at it, and no matter who it’s happened to. Yes, we hold someone like this to a higher standard, and rightfully so, but the truth is that accidents happen, and after 16 years being with a family pet I would imagine the family is heartbroken just the same.
What do you think? Do you think Starr should be brought up on charges or removed from her position?
[image: flickr]
Knowingly leaving a pet in a dangerous situation deserves punishment. Not being aware that the pet was even in the car is a tragic circumstance, but I would think losing the pet was devasting enough, without being accused of a criminal act. Punishing because we can regardless of circumstance only reduces our humanity.