This afternoon, we went to Home Depot to pick up a shovel, rake, and one of those gigantic barrel planters for our backyard. Usually, when we go on small errands, we take the dogs with us. We leave them in the car, crack the windows down, and run into the store. This is exactly what we did this afternoon. We cracked the windows as low as they could go, but not enough to let them jump out of the window. It's so big that they could fit their heads through the "crack" but it's small enough that they can't fit their gigantic chests through.
Anyway, we were in the process of checking out when we hear over the PA, "Will Mr. _____ please report to your car." Fearing that the dogs jumped out of the window, we ran to the car. Well, imagine our surprise when we saw a cop standing by a car. Apparently, some a****** called the cops on us for "abusing" our dogs. A "concerned citizen" was afraid that the dogs were "dehydrated."
Oh puhlease ...
Our dogs do not look abused at all. Shiny coat. Expensive collars. Beautiful dogs!!
Understand that we weren't at Home Depot for more than 15 minutes. It happened between 6:02-6:17 in the afternoon. In the LATE AFTERNOON / EARLY EVENING. THE SUN WAS NOT OUT. In fact, it's raining right now where we live. It's been raining since about 6:35 and Home Depot is about 5 miles away from our house. Also, I checked on the dogs just 2 MINUTES before the cops got there. (I needed a flat bed cart, because the regular carts don't aren't big enough).
I can't help but feel that the a****** called the cops simply because the car we were using was beat-up. It's our gypsy mobile. I've got a stack of library books in the passenger seat that I've been meaning to return. There are empty coffee cups in the passenger seat. There's dog slobber everywhere. And the rest of the station wagon is full of paraphernelia, like riding boots (I ride), 2 life vests (we sail), 2 frisbees, some water guns, etc. I think that if the dogs were sitting in a cushy Mercedes Benz, we wouldn't have gotten a call from the cops.
Also, the self-righteous b**** left us a note apparently saying mean things to us. Something to the effect that "The dogs are dying. You people are bad. I called the cops." The cop took the note away. Wish she left it though, I think we have a right to face our accusers.
So anyway, I'm posting to warn people living in Maryland. Apparently, they take "this stuff" seriously. Also apparently, we got a "warning" - though they did not give us a slip of paper. So if something like this happens again, we can get charged and have the dogs taken away from us.
I've got nothing against the cop. She was just doing her job. Also, she was looking kindly upon us, recognizing that our dogs are beautiful and obviously look like they are well cared for.
What I do have a problem with is the person who called. Yeah, I bet he/she feels really good for reporting law-abiding boxer-lovers who just happen to be not rich enough to drive a nice 'beater car'.
Anyway, we were in the process of checking out when we hear over the PA, "Will Mr. _____ please report to your car." Fearing that the dogs jumped out of the window, we ran to the car. Well, imagine our surprise when we saw a cop standing by a car. Apparently, some a****** called the cops on us for "abusing" our dogs. A "concerned citizen" was afraid that the dogs were "dehydrated."
Oh puhlease ...
Our dogs do not look abused at all. Shiny coat. Expensive collars. Beautiful dogs!!
Understand that we weren't at Home Depot for more than 15 minutes. It happened between 6:02-6:17 in the afternoon. In the LATE AFTERNOON / EARLY EVENING. THE SUN WAS NOT OUT. In fact, it's raining right now where we live. It's been raining since about 6:35 and Home Depot is about 5 miles away from our house. Also, I checked on the dogs just 2 MINUTES before the cops got there. (I needed a flat bed cart, because the regular carts don't aren't big enough).
I can't help but feel that the a****** called the cops simply because the car we were using was beat-up. It's our gypsy mobile. I've got a stack of library books in the passenger seat that I've been meaning to return. There are empty coffee cups in the passenger seat. There's dog slobber everywhere. And the rest of the station wagon is full of paraphernelia, like riding boots (I ride), 2 life vests (we sail), 2 frisbees, some water guns, etc. I think that if the dogs were sitting in a cushy Mercedes Benz, we wouldn't have gotten a call from the cops.
Also, the self-righteous b**** left us a note apparently saying mean things to us. Something to the effect that "The dogs are dying. You people are bad. I called the cops." The cop took the note away. Wish she left it though, I think we have a right to face our accusers.
So anyway, I'm posting to warn people living in Maryland. Apparently, they take "this stuff" seriously. Also apparently, we got a "warning" - though they did not give us a slip of paper. So if something like this happens again, we can get charged and have the dogs taken away from us.
I've got nothing against the cop. She was just doing her job. Also, she was looking kindly upon us, recognizing that our dogs are beautiful and obviously look like they are well cared for.
What I do have a problem with is the person who called. Yeah, I bet he/she feels really good for reporting law-abiding boxer-lovers who just happen to be not rich enough to drive a nice 'beater car'.
Last edited:
Thankfully the police officer knew that they do not look like abused dogs and let you off with the warning.
