Animal lover stands up to nasty neighbors for leaving their puppy outside in summer heatwave while running errands: 'Your neighbors shouldn't own a dog'

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 10, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

There's a rule we always follow when it comes to our doggos and the summer months: if we can't hold our hands against the pavement for 5 seconds without getting burned, then it's too hot to walk your dogs outside. Another general rule is that if it's too hot for you, it's probably too hot for your pupper, who has about three layers of fur on as well. So during these months, we wake up earlier and take them on extra-long walks in the morning, and then another long one in the evening when it's cooler outside. It's not worth it to risk heat stroke or burnt toe beans. Nobody likes burnt toe beans!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01

    Did I overstep looking out for this dog?

    'Don't feel ashamed for holding them accountable'
    via ShikharBhattarari

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10539661056
    via jeley27
  • 03
    I was working from home and heard puppy cries from my neighbors yard. I investigate and find this little guy outside, alone in 95 F° heat. I watched for a while and set a stop watch. At 45 minutes I went over and tried to knock on their door. No one
    via jeley27
  • 04
    home. I call the leasing office to see if they can get in contact with the renters. No luck. I stay around until my stop watch reads 1hr 15 minutes and I am considering calling animal control or taking the dog to my house to cool off till the neighbors get back. The
    via jeley27
  • 05
    neighbors return at 1hr 20min and are upset when I say I'm there concerned about their puppy. They are upset I called the leasing office. They say the pup has shade and water and that it's no big deal.
    via jeley27
  • 06
    What do you think? Did I over react, should I have acted sooner and called animal control?
    via jeley27
  • 07
    Thanks for your advice. Definitely not looking forward to interacting with them in the future. The owner seemed like a real PO.
    via jeley27

  • Our 5-second pavement rule applies even to being outside, in our pawsonal opinion. Outside time, especially during midday, is limited to strictly emergencies. If we saw a helpless puppy outside in this heat for more than an hour, we would also do something about it. We think the animal lover in this post did the right thing by standing up to their nasty neighbors for leaving their puppy outside. On top of that, it's clearly a husky, which thrive in cold weather.

  • 08
    Beautiful-Painting88 1d ago . You did a good thing. They should be embarrassed. Stand up tall during any future. interactions
    via Beautiful-Painting88
  • 09
    lilmess11 1d ago Honestly no puppy should be outside alone with no one home. I mean the heat man and you have husky looking puppy outside that naturally has a thicker coat. And some puppy's don't know how to regulate themselves and legit will sit in the sun panting. Honestly I think you did the right thing IMO
    via lilmess11
  • 10
    mariace65 · 1d ago . You did the right thing. That's too hot for s dog, especially a baby
    via mariace65
  • 11
    velvet-ashtray 1d ago . document everything and build a case
    via velvet-ashtray
  • 12
    tailskirby 1d ago I wouldn't leave an adult dog out that long either. Definitely not a puppy. Those owners are horrible.
    via tailskirby
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10539671296
    via undefined undefined

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    _ChipWhitley_ • 1d ago I'm in Orlando and my friend is watching my dogs this week while I have to go into the office for work. He sent me photos of them outside today while he was with them the whole time and I almost replied with, "Not too long!" but I didn't because he already knew.
    via _ChipWhitley_

  • We have to remind ourselves constantly that everything must be so much warmer for them. Our dog is a desert dog, she thrives in the sand and heat, and still it's too hot for her outside. The pavement absorbs the sun all day, but we don't feel it with our thick shoes on! It's either time to get her some little boots or avoid walks until the evening.

  • 15
    Your neighbors shouldn't own a dog. It's way too hot outside, even for shade. You did the right thing.
    via _ChipWhitley_
  • 16
    Confident_Meal_6631 • 1d ago People like you save lives! Don't feel ashamed for holding them accountable.
    via @
  • 17
    Plus_Explanation1976 1d ago You did the right thing. 100 They have no voice and need people to speak up for them. In the future keep an eye out for the poor baby. Maybe now that know know someone is watching they'll be more diligent when it's hot out
    via Plus_Explanation1976
  • 18
    everythingbagellove 1d ago . I'd call animal control and at least report it
    via everythingbagellove
  • 19
    QueenOfPurple 1d ago I have two dogs. I would hope and be grateful for someone to care about my dogs' wellbeing in this way!
    via QueenOfPurple
  • 20
    yoshizillaa 1d ago . This was a perfect time for them to be working on crate training. Not leaving the puppy outside in the heat. Puppies shouldn't be unattended for long periods of time. They're lucky it didn't try eating that towel.
    via yoshizillaa
  • 21
    eevee_eatschildren05 • 1d ago im a vet tech in training and you did NOT do the wrong thing here its crazy irresponsible to have a husky of all breeds out in this heat as not only is the air hot but the ground to shade can only do so much i rlly hope. these owners do better or rehome this guy
    via eevee_eatschildren05

  • Some people just don't think about the well-being of others. Even when it comes to their children (doggos are the new kids, if you didn't know that already). You can't think of things from your point of view, you have to put yourself in their paws and imagine what it's like to be them. And for them, it's probably really hot!

  • 22
    Imaginary-Ad8178 1d ago . Depends on who you ask. If you asked the puppy, normal humans? We'd say you didn't overreact, we'd say thank you.
    via Imaginary-Ad8178
  • 23
    Don't overthink this, leave your overthinking for something more in the gray area. This is very black and white if you ask me. Glad we have people like you on this planet, you make this place better
    via Imaginary-Ad8178
  • 24
    alwaysouroboros ⚫ 1d ago • The puppy crying was probably more distress about being alone than being in physical distress. Where I live, a dog can be out for a certain number of hours unattended in that weather as long as there is accessible shade
    via alwaysouroboros
  • 25
    and water. Where I am, this would not have gotten any action from AC or leasing, and you would have easily been arrested or fined for taking the dog out of the yard, had you gone that route. I think this sub will probably all agree you tried to do a good thing though.
    via alwaysouroboros
  • 26
    While you had good intentions and it is poor dog ownership to leave a puppy outside attended (no matter how long), they likely didn't violate any actual rules or laws. Unfortunately you probably created a conflict with neighbors when there was nothing that
    via alwaysouroboros
  • 27
    could be done. I would check your local laws around outdoor dogs and then if you see them in violation or you feel the dog is unsafe, you can call AC. Leave leasing out of it because they'll be less likely to respond to you if they think you're calling regularly for nonactionable issues.
    via alwaysouroboros

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

dogs neighbors neighborhood drama Heat puppy summer heatwave doggo animals errands animal lover
Scroll Down For The Next Article