Friday, August 28, 2009

SPCA Exec Forgets Dog In Hot Car

Va. SPCA exec's dog dies after 4 hours in hot car
(AP) – 1 day ago

RICHMOND, Va. — An executive for an anti-animal cruelty group says her 16-year-old blind and deaf dog died after she accidentally left him in her hot car for four hours.

Robin Starr, the CEO of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says she didn't realize "Louie" was in the car until noon. Starr's husband, Ed, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch he put the dog in her car as she got ready for work Aug. 19. She often took the dog to work with her.

Robin Starr took the dog to two clinics, but he died of kidney failure.

The National Weather Service says the temperature had reached 91 degrees by noon that day.
The board of the SPCA says it still supports Starr, who has been CEO since 1997 and does not plan to resign. It was unclear whether she would be charged. Link

I only want to highlight this news story for one reason. I know we can all make mistakes and I certainly make more than my fair share of them, but I think the reaction from the animal rights community will be the interesting thing. Her employer has already said that they support her and will not fire her over this. I also doubt we will see anything else happen either. Would the rest of us get the same treatment from the SPCA if we did this same thing? If she is intellectually honest with herself, will she call for the same punishment for herself and her husband that she would for anyone else? Personally, I don’t think she should lose her job, she made a mistake and I doubt that she will do it again.

No comments: