On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., police were dispatched to the California Target located at 45155 First Colony Way in California, after taking multiple 911 calls to check the welfare of a dog left in an unattended vehicle.
Multiple citizens along with the Target Security team reported an unattended Toyota SUV was illegally parked in front of the store with the vehicle not running and all windows up. The dog was heard barking and observed excessively panting, witnesses did not break the window fearing personal or criminal consequences.
At the time of the 911 call, the outside temperature was 92 degrees, with a “RealFeel” temperature of 104 degrees and humidity level of over 90%. Under those conditions, the temperature inside a parked vehicle could rise to deadly levels within minutes, placing any animal left inside at immediate risk of heatstroke, organ failure, or death.
Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance from the St. Mary’s County Animal Control responded to the scene and made contact with the driver, who witnesses advised was inside the store for more than 10 minutes.
The owner/operator was cited with multiple citations on the scene by deputies. No further action was taken and updates regarding the charges, citations or summons will be provided when they become available.
Leaving pets inside a parked vehicle during warm weather can quickly become deadly. Even when the outside temperature feels mild, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise sharply within minutes. Cracking the windows or parking in the shade does little to prevent dangerous heat buildup, and pets can suffer heat exhaustion or heatstroke before an owner realizes there is a problem.
Dogs and cats are especially vulnerable because they cannot cool themselves as efficiently as people. Signs of heat distress may include excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, collapse, or seizures. Without immediate treatment, heatstroke can cause permanent organ damage or death.
Pets should never be left unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a short errand. The safest choice is to leave them at home or have another person stay with them in a properly air-conditioned vehicle.
