Head of Virginia SPCA's dog dies in her hot car

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,543180,00.html?test=latestnews

This is very sad.

[Janie]

Sooooooooooo sad!

[Adina P]

Oh gosh...that is sad. If my dog was that old I probably may not have realized he was in there either...especially if he was still and quiet. Although Rosco wouldn't have blended in with my seats....Thule would have! Sad, sad sad!

I took Thule to work yesterday for an after work employee picnic -- took her for the sake of working on her heeling and sits next to groups of people. But after that I had to put her back in my car so I drove the car closer, parked in the shade, and since she was buckled in I rolled down her windows all the way AND the sunroof. It is a VERY safe location. Got my food as quickly as possible...went BACK to the car, turned on the engine and A/C...got dessert and then take out containers and headed home. I was VERY aware of my time and very aware of the heat but the amount of air she had was equivalent to her hanging out outside with me. But if she had been there and I didn't know it...oh my gosh...it would have been bad news!

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is very sad, but I can understand how this happened. When we lived in Germany (not a hot area), I went into the commissary one day and left our poodle in the car with the window down. I forgot all about him as I was looking around and talking with friends. When I went back outside and opened the door, he fell out of the car. Luckily, I put water on him and cooled him off and he was back to normal in a little while. But I was scared. Of course I knew you should not leave a dog (or a child) in a car. But I hadn't expected the weather to change so quickly.

[Tamara & Giada]

Very sad!!!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

A sad reminder for us all. My heart is breaking for the whole family!

[Leslie and Halas]

That's a really sad story. What a terrible accident!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Very sad. I feel for the Starrs.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I would like to share the SPCA's response to this tragedy. (copied directly from their website)

A personal family tragedy
A member of the Richmond SPCA family has been struck with a personal tragedy in recent days. While this matter is deeply personal, it has gained attention of local media; therefore, we would like to share directly with our supporters what has been a source of enormous grief for our CEO Robin Starr and her family.

Last Wednesday, the Starr family lost a dear companion in their 16-year-old dog Louie. Sometimes Louie accompanied Robin to the office on days their home was being cleaned. The morning of August 19, just before Robin left for work, her husband Ed placed Louie inside the rear of her station wagon with the intention of letting her know Louie was there. However, Ed forgot to tell Robin that Louie was in the car. Because Louie – being a docile senior pet – rode silently, lying contently in the back of the station wagon, Robin was unaware of his presence when she arrived at work.


It was not until Robin returned to her car at lunchtime that she saw Louie. At that time he was alive but in heat stroke. She rushed him inside where the Richmond SPCA veterinary team diligently worked to stabilize him before he was transported to Veterinary Emergency Center for more extensive care. At the family’s direction, the VEC team made every possible effort to save Louie, but late that night, he died.


Everyone at the Richmond SPCA shares the deepest sympathy for the Starr family. If this can happen to a woman who has dedicated her professional life to saving animal lives, this can happen to anyone, and that is why it is so important for this tragedy to serve as a learning moment.

Louie could not have had a family love him more. We would prefer that the Starrs be allowed to grieve privately, but, since the local news media has not made that possible, we wanted to make you aware of what occurred. We have every confidence that your hearts will go out to the Starrs just as ours do. She has the full support of the staff and board of directors of the Richmond SPCA.

[Chris & Boys]

Heartbreaking.......

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sad story for poor Louie.