https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrGQstPSK4s
Jennifer Beals of 1980s Flashdance and current Proof fame found herself at the receiving end of fury after a Canadian news agency published this video footage. The clip shows a man lecturing Beals after she left her German Shepherd dog inside her car during errands. Beals simply replied to the man, “It’s fine, okay. Thank you.”
The man reported the incident to police, as he noted the dog looked lethargic and was panting “in a hot car.” Beals’ position is that she cracked her car’s windows, and it was 73 degrees outside. She left her dog alone for about five minutes. Twitter wasn’t having this explanation:
@NoahFairbanks @jenniferbeals Jennifer dogs die in hot cars….within minutes – get educated. don't do this again #canada #pets #dogs
— Leigh-Catherine (@PsychicLC) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/canada7364/status/626980950694473728
https://twitter.com/jacobmemoirs/status/627013102542807045
@NonsenseBuffer @jenniferbeals That is about 20*C and a car can heat to 40-50*C within 10 minutes in the sun. Animals or children=Big Fines.
— Deborah Duthie 🌸 (@devduthie) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/Steven_Lucke/status/627001214857818112
@Jinn__M @JenBeals_com @jenniferbeals leave him home, where it's safe & cool or take him with you. Not in the car. #itsnotokindunbar
— Officially HarjjiB (@HarjjiB) July 31, 2015
@LisaRachel123 @jenniferbeals I am an animal LOVER…You are misinformed/she was 15ft awayFor 4min./Dog in sight whole time.Read her statement
— Olga Casey (@caseyatbat3) July 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/Annetworth/status/626989869483474944
@CUrquhartGlobal @jenniferbeals @GlobalBC can't believe she doesn't understand ONE minute is enough to heat up a car in over 30 degree heat
— ψ |-/ Tommy Hughes |-/ ψ (@TommyHugh3s) July 31, 2015
Beals spoke with Us Weekly to promise no dogs were harmed in the making of the video:
“I have loved dogs my whole life. They’ve been in my life since the day I was born. Every dog I’ve had has been a rescue. I would never ever jeopardize an animal’s safety. Ever. I am not only a loving dog owner but a discerning one. The morning was a cool 73 degrees. I, and others, were wearing jackets. I rolled all four windows down and left the car for five minutes to pick up laundry, my car visible to me the entire time.
“I wondered why two people were congregated by my car taking pictures of my girl. Proud mama thought it was because she’s so gorgeous. While I appreciate their vigilance and what must have felt like courage on their part, they were barking up the wrong tree.”
This is a tough subject with strong feelings on both ends. One side of the argument points out how rapidly a car can heat up (even in mild temps). Add a thick coat of fur, and dogs don’t have it easy. Tyrann Mathieu recently demonstrated the dangers of a hot car on animals, and his experience was sobering. On the flip side, many pet owners take offense with others telling them how to raise fur babies.
(Via Global News Canada and Us Weekly)