To the editor:

It’s that time of year when the heat index is rising. It’s also that time of year when selfish people leave kids and animals shut up in vehicles while they go into a store, restaurant, etc. I witnessed such an act Thursday.

I was leaving Restaurant Depot in Kansas City, Mo., and I noticed a maroon Chevy Tahoe with Douglas County tags with three small Schnauzer-type dogs in it. The windows on the vehicle were cracked only about 2 inches each, and it was 93 degrees outside.

I asked the store manager to try to page the owner of the vehicle, while I called police and Animal Control. Animal Control was dispatched, but unfortunately didn’t get there in time. The owners of the Tahoe came out after about 15 minutes. They were very aloof and acted as if it was no big deal.

The lady got really ticked off at me, and told me it was none of my business. Then she kept saying “we didn’t mean to do it.”

Well, lady, you obviously DID mean to do it because you left Lawrence/Douglas County with your dogs and took them into Kansas City on a shopping trip. You can’t say you were only planning on being in the store a few minutes. Why? Because you came out with two carts full of things. It’s obvious you went there to shop.

You should both be ashamed of yourselves! I just wish the police had gotten there soon enough to cite you for this crime.

People, don’t leave animals or kids in a vehicle! It’s cruel.

David Shannon,

Lawrence