NC Cop Being A Dick Tells Woman She Had No Right To Help Dog In Hot Vehicle

[Sugar Cookie]

According to the Cornelius Police Department, officers responded to a parking lot at 2:18 p.m. on June 7 regarding a dog in a car. The officer arrived at 2:26 p.m.

The caller, Suzanne Vella, told police she observed the dog in the truck for 5 to 10 minutes while the owner was inside the Wendy’s nearby, and subsequently opened one of the doors. The video shows the dog vigorously drinking water that Vella provided.

Charlotte Douglas International reported a 91 high that day, recorded at approximately 3 p.m.

When the officer arrived, the truck door was open, and the owner had returned to the truck.

“He kinda repeatedly told me, ‘hey lady, mind your business,’ whatever… I just let him know that police were on the way.”

But then when the police showed up — Vella didn’t expect this next encounter – that has now gone viral.

Police say the officer did not observe the dog alone in the car. In North Carolina, for an officer to make an on-view arrest for animal cruelty, the officer must witness the crime.

After the officer asked the dog owner if he wanted to press charges against Vella for entering his vehicle, he replied “no” and left the scene. Then, a back-and-forth between the officer and the caller Vella occurred.

“You know, it was really upsetting,” she said. “The police officer got all of my information and gave me a lecture about it but said virtually nothing to the owner.”

Vella’s video shows the conversation:

“What right do you think you had to open someone’s door?” the officer asked.

Vella responded: “If there’s a dog on a 90-degree day locked in the car panting, I’m going to give it water.”

Officer: “I don’t understand what you don’t understand about this… just because you see a dog panting, doesn’t mean he’s in distress.”

Vella: “It’s 90 degrees. I think a lot of people would disagree with you, too.”

No charges were issued, and no arrest occurred.

On Friday, June 13, the Cornelius Police Department announced they were investigating the claim of animal cruelty, and that an internal investigation into the officer’s actions is also underway.

https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/mecklenburg-county/cornelius-police-investigating-woman-reporting-dog-being-left-in-pickup-truck-confrontation-with-officer/

 

[HEREIBE22]

This kind of policing is prominent in North Carolina. I never call the police here because it seems like I am the villain when I do.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

This kind of policing is prominent in North Carolina. I never call the police here because it seems like I am the villain when I do.

Thanks for the information about NC.

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The Cornelius Police Department has deemed that its officer who responded to a dog left in a hot car was in the wrong for his viral interaction with the woman who helped the animal.

This lead to a suspension and department retraining using information provided by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

“You know, it was really upsetting,” Vella told Queen City News the next week. “The police officer got all of my information and gave me a lecture about it but said virtually nothing to the owner.”

After investigations into the actions of Vella with and the officer, the department determined the way the call was handled “was not consistent with the way our officers treat the public or the core values of our agency.”

Given the results, the officer was given an unpaid suspension from his duties as an active K9 handler. Further, every Cornelius officer will receive additional training on the statute that governs the ability of first responders to enter a vehicle to protect the health and safety of an animal.

The criminal investigation was presented to the Magistrate’s Office, and no probable cause was found for charging the owner of the dog with cruelty to animals.

“While this statute does not authorize non-first responders to enter a vehicle, in this incident, there was no intent to commit a crime, and therefore, there was no violation of the law,” police said.

The department says the chief has apologized personally to Vella. They also have corresponded with PETA and obtained information from them on the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles.

The organization said it would present Vella with a Compassionate Action Award.

https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/north-carolina/mecklenburg-county/cornelius-police-suspends-officer-whos-interaction-with-woman-helping-dog-went-viral/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRLItJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6ZEd4UkNiTTJZSzgwVW5pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtHo8Kt1OtdRxao9ZaQtRu-xMoTJUIBwm_cdVnywxieAxsCsR4ZsZNA6MefS_aem_KLaur3A3R-RCcWAksZylIg