[snowbird22154]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Folks, please let us know how it goes if you break a window.
I am a veteran of 8 years consulting in child abuse and neglect.
One does not rush in based on the mere fact that an animal or child is in a car and the weather is hot. Consider what could easily be a reasonable leave of children or animals.

I am not saying ignore the situation. I am saying do not become a vigilante loaded to explode heroically without using good and reasonable judgement.
What could go wrong with your breaking a window?
The dog could jump out and get away from you.
The owner may sue for damages.
You maylearn later that the owner left a quiet running car with the AC on and shut windows to protect the animal. If that were a child, would you break a window?

While I applaud the heart of rescue in TV, this must be tempered with reason and a judicial appeoach to truth. Make sure that you know the animal is in danger, just as if it were a child you are asking to have removed from its parents. This is a serious and should be a deeply engaged effort, not based on hearsay (see OP) or rote response.
The OP reported hearsay with few details and the dog owner was crucified.

That is just wrong. I could have removed untold numbers of children from their parents based on hearsay, but that is not the same as having evidence.