Owners Furious With Firefighters Who Rescued Dogs From Car

Two Yorkies rescued from the trunk of a car by Dallas firefighters have caused a swirl of controversy. The owners are furious and say the dogs were never in danger. They put them in the trunk to keep them safe. They think the city overreacted. Dallas police are calling it an act of animal cruelty and are pressing charges.

John and Danika Shipman say their two Yorkies – Copper and Penny – are like family. “The dogs come to work with me every day and I travel a lot with my work as well. They travel with me wherever I go,” said John Shipman.

His wife added, “They sleep in bed with us. They sit on the furniture with us in our home.”

Last week the Shipman’s decided to leave their precious dogs in the trunk of their car as they went to lunch to celebrate John’s birthday. The temperature was a balmy 61 degrees and the couple thought the dogs would be safe and comfortable while they dined.

“I put them back there because I didn’t want them in the cabin, because they will unlock the door,” Shipman said. “Those pups cost about $1,000 each. I don’t want somebody to just reach in there and steal them.”

Shipman said he tilted the back seat a little so the dogs could get air and peek into the car.

Two brothers-in-law, Joey and Eric, were in the same parking lot for the Dallas Stars game. As they got out of their car, they heard the dogs barking. When they realized the constant noise was coming from the trunk of the Shipman’s Hyundai Sonata they called 911 to report their concerns.

Firefighters and police arrived at the scene and after a bit of a struggle they pried back the side of the trunk door of the Hyundai, like a can of sardines and freed the little dogs. Then they called the Shipman’s saying, “This is the Dallas Police and you need to come out to your car immediately. The fire department has broken into your car and we have your dogs.”

The Shipman’s think Dallas firefighters overstepped their authority. The couple is suing for $5,000 in damages to their brand new car.

Dallas police have charged John Shipman with animal cruelty because regardless of his intentions he endangered his pets. He faces a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Eric and Joey (who do not want their last names revealed after their Good Samaritan effort went haywire) stand by their call to 911. They stated that is was “inhumane” to put dogs into the trunk of a car under any circumstance.

What do you think about this incident? Is it ever O.K. to use the trunk of a car to babysit a pet?

Related Stories:

Rise Of The Rescued Squirrel

Poodle Shot Dead By Airport Security

Ireland Bans Puppy Mills

Photo from bterrycompton via flickr.

quick poll

vote now!

Loading poll...

no!
leaning no
leaning yes
yes!

no!
leaning no
leaning yes
yes!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

carol k.

4:40PM PST on Feb 16, 2012

my dogs are family- they live in the house, when I am home they are with me all the time, sleep in bed with me, sit on the furniture with me, go for walks. and sometimes go to work with me, and love to go for a ride in the car.But NEVER NEVER do they ride in the trunk or wait for me in the trunk. ! These people should never be allowed to own a dog,cat, rat, ferret, or worm!

send a green star

Briana H.

9:48AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

Undo one of those "no" votes...I jumped the gun and responded to the first question asked up above "Is it ever O.K. to use the trunk of a car to babysit a pet?" Of course not, these people say these dogs are a part of their family, well would you just leave your kids in your trunk to go run an errand?
UGH some people!

moyra m.

8:59AM PST on Feb 16, 2012

the firefighters were right

Eternal G.

6:05PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Most people here on care2 would've called 911 as well I'm sure... and favouring a suffocating dog (or dogs in this case) over a stolen one says it all.
Stupid thing to do, period.

Past Member .

6:32AM PST on Feb 4, 2012

If they were not going to be gone long and were so concerned about their pets getting out, they should put them in a specific room, or a carry crate big enough for them to relax, with a blanket a few toys and some space. A trunk is completely stifling, not to mention the fumes from the car that get trapped in there, even in newer vehicles. Maybe they need to ride around once or twice in the trunk and let them see how it is in there. ITS CRUEL. There is no excuse for it, i would never ever put my pet or anyone in my trunk. Animals are like children..i have to ask them..would you put your kids in your trunk? AND TO THE GUYS THAT DID THE 911 CALL..your right on!!! So stand up with conviction. I don't believe in coincidence. sometimes we are put in the right place, at the right time, for a right reason!!

Lisa S.

8:18AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

If you love your pet and insist on taking it with you - the PLEASE put it in a secure proper travel crate or seatbelt! In this instance - sure it was cool outside but if the Sun was shinning it would of been a lot hotter in that trunk and they should of just left those pups safely at Home!!!

Elaine A.

7:40AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

It is never justified to leave your animals in the car, let alone the trunk! What a buch of stupid people....Can you say leave them at home and go do you dinner thing. The dogs would have felt better being in the comfort of their home. Not only should they be charged for animal cruelty, they should NOT get the dogs back!

Susan T.

6:30AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

I don't know about Texas, but in Florida it is illegal to leave pets in vehicles unattended. I am a snowbird and did not know of this. In NY the weather is cooler and most of the time I have my dog with me.

Debbie C.

4:39AM PST on Feb 1, 2012

I think the firefighters did the right thing. They were right and the owners were wrong in even bringing the dogs in the first place since they were going to dinner.

Debbie L.

6:47PM PST on Jan 30, 2012

I don't think the reason 'I don't want someone to steal my dogs' is valid. I doubt the dogs will stay there calmly while they are taken away. You can't put your dogs in a closes trunk like that. What stupid owners.