In a story eerily reminiscent of last week’s “man arrested for trying to help a dog” story, the president of the Indian River County (FL) SPCA, Van DeMars, was arrested after trying to save a dog named Davey, whom he found tethered to an SUV in a hot parking lot.
Afternoon temperatures were above 90 degrees as DeMars says he stumbled upon the animal in a northern Sebastian Publix supermarket parking lot. The dog was tethered to an SUV and sitting on the asphalt with no owner in sight.
“He was literally choking himself, trying to get under the car,” said DeMars speaking a Tuesday, several days after the incident.
DeMars said he waited several minutes, but there was no sign of the dog’s human companion. DeMars decided to act. “I made the decision that I’m going to un-click the leash and take him into the shade,” he said.
When the dog’s owner finally arrived, DeMars was in no mood to hand over Davey to the very person who had left him. That’s where law enforcement found fault with DeMars’s actions and why he now faces petit larceny charges.
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Thank you, Van, for being a hero! I wish there were more people like you out there willing to stick up for the animals. I appreciate you doing what you did…and I know that poor pup does, as well!
Thank you Mr. DeMars for helping this poor dog. I can well understand your hesitancy in giving back this dog to an individual who would do this to his dog in the first place. I wish there were more caring individuals like you out there.
Yes, I agree you cared enough to do something! I would also be uncomfortable to hand the poor dog back to owner. Obviously, they know nothing about dogs and heat. You did the right thing!
The 80 plus year old owner came back. He had left the dog conscious of the heat, car open. This van fool wanted headlines. He then bullied the man and stole his dog. I hope he gets a criminal record and is banned from spca work and animal ownership.