Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-06-22, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, June 22, 2016 Dog rescuer has no regrets Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network It was all about the dog said the man who smashed a rock through the window of a locked 2014 BMW to free a small dog in Grand Bend Saturday June 11th. The video of the rescue has gone viral, with more than 600,000 views as of Wednesday. Huron County man, Mark Lewis, media sponsor from a local radio station was co -announcing the opening of the new Rotary stage at the Grand Bend beach when, he said, they announced a white dog was inside a black BMW at one of the beach parking lots. "We asked that the owner return to their vehicle to free the dog," Lewis said adding the beach tempera- ture was 28 degrees. He said when the next musical set was complete another beach goer announced to him that the dog was still in the car. "So I took a walk and found a small group of people standing around this car, where there was a small white dog panting." He went back to the stage and again sent out a plea for the owners, "if they were in ear shot to come back to their car." When no one came for- ward Lewis went back to the car and said a few people were trying to 'jimmy the lock' with no luck and that the driver window and the sun roof were open only a crack. "Not even enough to get our fingers through," he said. Lewis explained the parking permit time stamp on the windshield was 4:57 p.m. and when he began trying to break the window with a stainless steel travel mug it was 6:20 p.m. "The owner of the car had not returned and there were no by-law or police around," he said. Someone handed me the rock and I began to hit the window at around 6:30. It danced back at me and then broke and I was able to use a smaller piece to break the window. He said once the win- dow was broken he could see the dog was "spooked" but he was able to get him and bring him to safety. "The dog was wet and someone told me they had seen the couple take the dog to the water's edge for a quick swim before lock- ing him in the car. We hydrated him and he seemed fine." Lewis then called the OPP and gave them the information including his name but did not state he was the one who broke the window. "That was at 6:45 p.m. and they arrived half an hour later, just as the owners of the car also arrived." "The couple looked sur- prised to see their dog, and then the smashed win- dow," he said, "The woman told me it was her dog and I asked her if she realized she left her dog in a hot car with the windows rolled up? She did not respond. She offered to take her dog but the police had other ideas," he said. The OPP said in light of the circumstances, the owner of the BMW decided that he had no concerns as to his dam- aged vehicle. The dog was returned to the owner pending an investigation by the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Ani- mals (SPCA)- London Humane Society. The OPP will consult and continue to investigate this incident with the assistance of the SPCA. Lewis said he did not know the video had gone viral until Sunday morning when friends began to call. "People were telling me I did the right thing, but I began to be concerned because I damaged private property. I soon realized the repercus- sions would not have mat- tered, it was all about the dog. I don't regret stepping up to the plate." Lewis said people have to be aware of their actions. "You can't keep a living being, whether it is a child or an animal in a hot car. People have to think about their actions." The OPP are reminding all pet owners that an animal left in a closed motor vehi- cle, in direct sunlight and with no water can quickly become distressed. Section 445 of the Criminal Code of Canada provides that any- one who willfully and unlawfully causes pain or suffering to an animal can be brought before a Court with a maximum penalty of $10,000 or imprisonment from 18 months to five years. In addition, the OPP are encouraging our commu- nity partners to exercise discretion in such cases. The OPP would prefer that if circumstances permit, that they be called for assis- tance prior to anyone caus- ing damage to real property. Will Costa/Special to Postmedia Network LJt1JRC'H You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 Jarvis St, Seaforth Church Office 519-527-1522 holyspirit@tcc.on.ca Rev. Shaun Eaton - Deacon -in -Charge Sunday June 26 Worship at 9.3Oal 1 m 1 Everyone We lcome EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Worship Leader Susan Barnett June 26th 10:30am No Youth Sunday School until Sept. Potluck Lunch, fun & games to follow Kids in the Kitchen - Aug 15-19, 9am-noon Fee $20 per child, only 18 accepted Contact Theresa Kolkman • tess.1972@tcc.on.ca Everyone Welcome For more information view our website 111 www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH AnAssociated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris June 26 -11 am Guest Speaker - Barry Hawkins July 3 -10 am "The Church As God's Temple" Wednesday June 22 Bible Study - 7 pm Youth Group - 6:30 - 9 pm & EVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Lorrie Mann - Organist Sunday Worship June 26 -11 am at Seaforth Lions Park Potluck lunch to follow Bring lawn chair Guest Minister: Rev. Dwight Nelson Sunday School ( Nursery Provided as Needed ALL WELCOME Lewis then called the OPP and gave them the information including his name but did not state he was the one who broke the window. "That was at 6:45 p.m. and they arrived half an hour later, just as the owners of the car also arrived." "The couple looked sur- prised to see their dog, and then the smashed win- dow," he said, "The woman told me it was her dog and I asked her if she realized she left her dog in a hot car with the windows rolled up? She did not respond. She offered to take her dog but the police had other ideas," he said. The OPP said in light of the circumstances, the owner of the BMW decided that he had no concerns as to his dam- aged vehicle. The dog was returned to the owner pending an investigation by the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Ani- mals (SPCA)- London Humane Society. The OPP will consult and continue to investigate this incident with the assistance of the SPCA. Lewis said he did not know the video had gone viral until Sunday morning when friends began to call. "People were telling me I did the right thing, but I began to be concerned because I damaged private property. I soon realized the repercus- sions would not have mat- tered, it was all about the dog. I don't regret stepping up to the plate." Lewis said people have to be aware of their actions. "You can't keep a living being, whether it is a child or an animal in a hot car. People have to think about their actions." The OPP are reminding all pet owners that an animal left in a closed motor vehi- cle, in direct sunlight and with no water can quickly become distressed. Section 445 of the Criminal Code of Canada provides that any- one who willfully and unlawfully causes pain or suffering to an animal can be brought before a Court with a maximum penalty of $10,000 or imprisonment from 18 months to five years. In addition, the OPP are encouraging our commu- nity partners to exercise discretion in such cases. The OPP would prefer that if circumstances permit, that they be called for assis- tance prior to anyone caus- ing damage to real property. Will Costa/Special to Postmedia Network