Cornelius, North Carolina — Cornelius police are investigating an incident in which a woman discovered a dog abandoned in a parking lot and broke into the vehicle to help.
According to the Cornelius Police Department, officers responded to a parking lot off West Catawba Avenue at 2:18 p.m. on June 7 to report a dog in a car. The officer arrived around 2:26 p.m.
Suzanne Vella, the caller, told police she saw the dog in the truck for 5 to 10 minutes while the owner was inside a nearby Wendy’s, and then opened one of the doors. The video shows the dog vigorously drinking the water that Vella provided.
“I’m an animal lover myself,” Vella said. “I have two dogs I’ve always loved dogs.”
Charlotte Douglas International reported a high of 91 degrees that day, around 3 p.m. It was the first day with temperatures above 90 degrees this season.
When the officer arrived, the truck door was open, and the owner had returned to the vehicle.
“He kept telling me, ‘hey lady, mind your business,’ whatever…” “I just informed him that police were on their way.”
But when the police arrived, Vella was unprepared for the next encounter, which has since gone viral.
Police claim the officer did not observe the dog alone in the car. In North Carolina, an officer must witness the crime before making an on-the-spot arrest for animal cruelty.
When the officer asked the dog owner if he wanted to file charges against Vella for entering his vehicle, he said “no” and left the scene. The officer then engaged in a back-and-forth with caller Vella.
“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 captures the conversation:
“What right do you think you had to open someone’s door?” the officer inquired.
Vella got back: “If there’s a dog on a 90-degree day locked in the car panting, I’m going to give it water.”
Officer: “I’m not sure what you don’t understand about this…” “Just because you see a dog panting does not mean he is in distress.”
Vella: “It is 90 degrees. I believe many people would disagree with you.
No charges were filed, and no arrests happened.
The Cornelius Police Department announced on Friday, June 13, that they were investigating the claim of animal cruelty, as well as conducting an internal investigation into the officer’s actions.
“We are also reinforcing our training procedures to ensure that all personnel respond professionally, respectfully, and with empathy in every situation,” the department’s spokesperson said.
