Dogs locked in cars

I am writing regarding the article that appeared in the Aug. 27 issue of the Advertiser-News South written by Beth Kalet entitled “Driver didn’t know to crack window.” Where is this person from? Venus?? It could just have easily been a child. You see this sort of thing every day. There is no reason why a dog should be left in the car alone, for any reason. Why are people compelled to drag their pets everywhere they go, whether the animals want to go or not? The pet would be better off at home. There should be stiffer penalties for this sort of behavior. In the article John Abate states that “It was not a case of abuse.” Excuse me, Mr. Abate, but leaving an animal in a locked car with closed windows on “a stifling hot Saturday” is abuse in my book. By the way, what is “accidental cruelty”? Cruelty is cruelty. The person who lost their beloved pet has my sympathy, but it’s about time we all woke up. Edward O’Dell Hamburg