“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
A Georgia man is being charged with animal cruelty after his dog died of heat exhaustion on Monday.
Jerry Mason, 50, of Georgia, was driving a moving truck packed with boxes, furniture, and other household items from Savannah to Kentucky, with his Cocker Spaniel mix in the cab along with him. But, when he was arrested in Cartersville, Georgia, the dog was suffering from severe heat exhaustion after being forced to ride in the back of the truck for at least an hour.
Channel 2 Action News reported that police spotted the U-Haul on the side of the road, with a concerned citizen pouring water over the dog to cool him off. Mason told police that his dog had become unruly in the cab, so he pulled over and moved him to the back with the furniture and boxes. The dog was taken to a veterinarian for emergency treatment, but did not survive.
Cartersville Police Chief Thomas Culpepper said in a news release, “We cannot stress enough the importance of not keeping animals locked in vehicles where there is no circulation. Animals simply cannot tolerate the amount of heat that an enclosed area generates in this summer weather. An animal can be in distress within minutes due to the high temperatures we have been experiencing.”
Mason was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty on Monday, but bonded out of jail Tuesday morning.
redman
says:Caring more for animals then humans is bad in all levels you all don’t give a damn about humanity but when a dog is involved god forgive its the most important thing in this world…screw humanity let America boil over with mexicans and bred like cockroaches and throw our fellow Americans away over a dumb dog you all will burn in hell and I’ll see you there
Wendy Marcus
says:What about notifying U-Haul, Ryder etc. to remind people who rent their trucks not to leave their pets inside?
Denise
says:This person needs to be punished more severely and he should not be allowed to ever own another animal.
D. Brown
says:Whether he did it intentionally or not, we all get annoyed at our pets, children, co workers, family and friends from time to time, but as everyone in the world should know, postings about animals/children/heat and hot enclosed spaces such as cars have been all over the place for years. This is not a new news story. It’s also basic common sense. Hundreds of stories of others who have been arrested, fined, broken up, emotionally distraught, or have lost thier children or pets have made the news as well. Hec, just last week, let’s look at the story of the young man that took his 2 kids to school, but forgot the baby in the back seat. I’m sure everyone heard that story. Either people are focusing on the almight $$$$ so much, that they are losing all rationale for everything else, or they just honestly don’t care. Sounds to me like this guy has always acted this way with his pets. It’s beyond ignorance, it’s just the same old plain “I don’t give a damn attitude,’ which many in this country have, and just feel it’s thier God given right because that’s just the way they are.’ Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson. God bless his puppy.
Really Really
says:So a man kills a man he gets life. A man kills a dog he gets the death penalty? Pets are great and should be treated with care, but get out other peoples lives, mind your own business. None of you know the whole story. All you do gooders who want NEW LAWS should have to suffer under those laws. Federal Lawas are equal to oppression. One mans will forced on the masses.
Eric your a dumbass the planes have temp regulators in cargo area
Jay your a big douche bag. im sure anyone who has probably met your ass would choose their dog or any other pet over your douchey ass
ANd those of you on this site who talk about seeing this dog shivering inside a car and another one sweating outside in a car at the mall. Your no better unless you stood up and were the voice for those animals. There are laws against this kinda thing. You can call 911 and tell them there is a dog or whatever in a car with windows rolled up or whatever the situation and thwey will come help it out. Be the voice for these animals dont just turn a blind eye.
And to you douches who wanna call me names because I have compassion for other living breathing things-SCREW YOU !!!
Nut case your a dick!!!!
All you idiots who say its just a dog are the reason the world is the way it is today.. YOu have no compassion and are heartless. DOgs are living breathing creatures who feel pain and share emotions just as you do. I hope when you guys die people just say oh it was just Laura or it was just not a nut case(which by the way you are). You will not be given a second thought about once your gone because you are selfish heartless, incompassionate people.
Laura, it is willful animal cruelty. He knew how hot it was back there and that it was by far a stupid idea. Dont make excuses for a piece of shit like him. Its people like you that are the reason the cruelty laws are so lax in the US. He should have dealt with the situation another way. Lets thank god it wasnt an unruly child.
Not a nut case
says:You guys are crazy. Sad story. But it’s a dog.
Laura
says:Amen. Sad story. But it’s a dog. This guy used poor judgment… but I don’t believe he willfully tried to kill his pet. That’s not willful animal cruelty. That’s neglect or negligence. Some people want to live in a society where they can jail their neighbors for indiscretions that were in no way malicious. They exhibit neighbor cruelty.
Nut cases
says:You people are nuts
i am a retired humane officer and i have seen horrible things in my line of work. this is one of the worst things i see when people are stupid enough to leave their pet in the hot car. i have brought them up on animal cruelty charges and the police out here are great when you need them. they will break into a car or whatever is needed to get to the animal in distress. recently someone found a pitbull with his neck cut ear to ear. picked up and took to vet. he is surviving and is being taken in by the wonderful animal sanctuary we have out here. police are on the case. i am sure they will find the perp. can’t stand people like that.
Bob
says:Rainbow Bridge?? Do people seriously believe that, and on what is it based, other than vague warm-fuzzy hopes of seeing a pet again? How many of those true believers ever think about the truly immortal human soul, made in the image of God but marred by sin, and its eternal destination?
Bob, I think about it. Quite regularly. And I get excited. Everytime.
Bob
says:You guys are all wacko. Kill the person?? Make him suffer?? Really??? You probably think killing defenseless human babies is OK, though. Pets are great, fun, lovable, dependent on us; all true. But more valuable than humans? Really???
David
says:Too bad for the dog …….
The owner is a little challenged upstairs…..
Too bad it wasn’t a cat – LOL !!!
Marcia
says:Ohhhh all of you throwing stones and living in glass houses. This is how quick the people of our country can turn against one another. And I am almost certain that the violent comments made by some of you were only for a response, however, comments made by some of you are by no means any different than the actions made by this man that put his dog in the back of that truck. Actually, his actions were a little less brutally intentional than the comments made about his actions. Wanting someone or something to hurt or be hurt in any form, regardless, makes you no better of a person. He made the wrong choice, a very wrong choice that resulted in the loss of his dog. Does anybody, or can anybody explain or have proof of what normal is? No. We are all different and normal is and has always been nonspecific. I guess if you want to find out who the undercover violent people are, just give them an article to read about a man who put his dog in the back of a moving truck for an hour.
redneck
says:dog should have behaved better in the cab it was nice and cool there
Violet
says:This was ignorance, not malice.
The poor man already lost his dog. Depending on his attitude and feelings regarding this loss he should not be subjected to further punishment by being civilly or criminally charged. He was trying to SAVE his dog, not kill it, when the police arrived. He is a human being. The dog’s death was an accident, and though I love animals, it was just a dog. Instead of being criminally charged he should just take a course in the proper care of dogs. I am sure he is very remorseful. After all, it was HIS dog that he LOVED.
Marilyn
says:Are you effin serious?? “Just a dog”. People like you piss me off.
Seema
says:Just a dog? I agree with Marilyn. It was his responsibility to keep his dog safe. After all they can’t speak for themselves. You want the pleasure, and joy that comes with being a dog owner then I suggest you be responsible enough to learn everything you can on how to properly take care of it, and not hide under the guise of “ignorance.”
What a F-cking idiot. I’d like to see him treated the same way he treated his dog. Too bad I don’t make the laws this bastard and micheal vick amd others who abuses animals,childen, the elderly and people in general, should be hung by there balls. The women should be hung by their breasts or worse. The clitoris is too small to put a rope around.May that sweet dog run and play in Rainbow Bridge
Mario
says:People like this should be put to death, abusing an animal is worse than abusing a human….they do this to a dog first and then people are next…..Vick should have been hung by his balls…
Stahoo
says:I doubt that the dog was only in the back of the truck for an hour like this idiot claims. I think that he should have to wear a pork chop tied around his neck at a Vic dog camp.
sa
says:ALways amazes me how people get so crazy whenever they hear about a dog dying.yet drones kills hundreds of people women children every single day in other countries and people don’t seem to even care.
Cyrtonyx
says:Hell, people leave their small children in hot cars to die. Happens every summer. Probably a low-information voter,
Jackie
says:Are you seriously saying this guy didn’t know any better? I mean come on! When it’s hot and you’re sweating, think of the dog with all that fur. They don’t sweat like we do. They sweat through their tongues. Common sense would be to give the dog cool water. It’s so sad the dog died. It appears that this jerkoff is dumber than a box of rocks or just doesn’t care. What would he do with a kid?
Donna
says:Very, very good point, Jackie!
Marci
says:Reading the list of members suggesting the dogs owner find himself in the back of a closed van and kept there until he dies brought a thought. How many of you are opposed to court mandated executions? Obviously, very few.
Eric
says:Ok I get why everyone is hating on this guy for doing this but how is that any different than the airliners that have hundreds of dogs die every year for flying them in the cargo holds like any other piece of luggage? But ya dont hear ppl bitching about that do ya.
Laina
says:Horrible, of course. I go to the local dog park regularly, and am sad about all of the dogs that are NOT buckled in, as my dogs have been for YEARS, in the back seat of my vehicle. No, you don’t ride with children in your lap, and for your safety and especially THEIRS, there are little straps that fit with the human seat belts, then you have a harness (NOT a neck collar~!) that hooks them in.
Anyone who can’t take a few extra seconds to do this doesn’t love their dogs, as I have always loved mine.
Michael M
says:I hate people like you. If you don’t do what I do you don’t love your pet. Who the hell are you? Go F yourself.
Heather
says:Self-righteous.
Nick
says:Get real, it’s unfortunate that the dog died and mainly because of a careless decision but I doubt if the guy did it to intentionally hurt his dog.
Arrest someone because of a mistake, what’s the world coming too.
Donna
says:People are arrested every single day, several times a day, for making mistakes. How many people are killed due to mistakes? As someone else said, there is way too much publicity every single summer about leaving pets and children in cars with no ventilation. I believe it’s against the law to go to the grocery store and leave a dog in an unventilated car in the summer.
Christie Miller
says:Such a sad story…..I think that God must cry when he see’s what poor stewards we are of His beautiful creatures…..
Brittney
says:So sad! Poor puppy. I was on the verge of tears when I saw a dog in the back of the car in front me shivering fiercely with its tail between its legs..It gets extremely cold here in Southern Oregon…c’mon people, our animals love us unconditionally and would die for us! The least they deserve is to treated in a manner that won’t result in their death!
P Petri
says:He’s on facebook, search his name and in Savannah, Georgia, there’s a photo of the dog and a woman saying how lucky the dog is……..oops got that one wrong.
I’ve worked in animal rescues for over 30 years, this is another horrible story. It isn’t rocket science, you don’t let an animal or a child sit someplace that has no ventilation when it is warm out. This is a guy that got ticked because his dog wasn’t sitting quietly, the dog is pretty quiet now isn’t it, Jerk. It’s 17 below right now where I live, some of my animal rescue buddies could drive you up here and you can sit in the back of a moving pickup, wind chill would be -30
Robert Gift
says:He is suffering enough.
Loses his beloved pet due to his own stupidity.
He HAD his companion with him in the cab.
What was the dog’s behavior for putting it in the back?
Couldn’t control the dog right there? Would the dog with him be better if a behavior problem?
Diana Nolen
says:Here’s why people do cruel things:
The devil whispered in his ear and he listened.
Donna
says:You’re joking, right?
Dora Poncé
says:The man will never read comments about him on other sites other than the local news sites and this one doesn’t have comments. Maybe another Savannah News Media Outlet might have a comment section.
wsbtv.com/news/news/local/dog-dies-after-riding-back-u-haul-truck/nQCgp/
Donna
says:They should put him in the back of the truck that poor little thing,
that man shoudln’t be able to ever own any pet again and given a stiff fine
or even jail time!
Bonnie Beck
says:Bastard..they should put him on the back of a truck in 20 degree below zero weather and drive that ahole around town for hours..I would do it for a cup of coffee and a donut for what he did to that poor animal,I have NO compassion for these kind of people and those who hurt children also.
Bon
says:there is no cure for DUMB!
Mary Ann
says:Every October which is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, we take our
2 girls, Cleo and Katie to be blessed by our pastor or asst. pastor at
our parish. It is usually at 1:00 PM in the afternoon after the last Mass.
This little ceremony includes all pets of any kind. The owners are given
a metal to be placed on their collar. Afterwards there is refreshments
of ice cream and milk bone cookies. They all seem happy when going home.
Donna
says:That’s cute 🙂
Mary Ann
says:We have 2 dogs at home and they are like our “kids.” 2 beautiful “girls”
and would never leave them alone in our car any time. They go with us
to the bank to receive their treats from the window tellers and if one
of us has to make a stop at a store, etc. one of us stays in the car
with the A/C on. Maybe this man has learned is lesson, we hope so.
After you cross the rainbow bridge, you will meet St. Francis of Assisi
your patron saint.
jon
says:michele matthews…you posted the SAME thing three times.
You say “He’s not bright”. Well, you are proof that people are human and people make mistakes. How is justice served by throwing the book at a guy who has just lost the life of his pet?
Yes, it’s tragic but I’m sure he’s now learned his lesson. Now it’s up to society to educate others so it’s not repeated, not to just ‘throw the book’ at this guy.
Beth
says:Well, Jon, probably because this asshole killed his dog! How can you possibly think this guy learned his lesson? That’s not likely. And ‘he’s not bright’ doesn’t cut it for me…he’s not CARING!!! He probably abused this poor dog before or else why would he think nothing of doing this now? Yes, I am very angry about people like this and I have saved a few animals from hot cars. Only one time, did this guy really not know how bad it was to leave his dog in the car…until I pulled her out and he saw first hand how close to death this puppy was. I knew this guy, and thankfully I asked where the dog was, just in the nick of time. He never was so thoughtless again.
Professor4554
says:Throw the book at him? That’s too good for this guy bright or not. I think it’s high time the US brought back public flogging and/or humiliation. Maybe 12 lashes on the courthouse square and 6 months service at the ASPCA or humane society would straighten him out.
RebelsRule
says:Such a sad story. With all the comments here, let me ask you if the life of a child in the womb is worth less than the life of the pet? Everyday there are thousands of babies killed in the womb. Where is the outcry regarding the death of these innocent babies as compared to the life of a pet. We have pets and they are our “children” as we have reared our “babies” and they are now educated, married and have their own children AND pets. This man does not deserve any more or less than what he has received, yet the murder of innocent babies are within the law. How much sense does this make to you?
Not relevant!!
Donna
says:Oh, plllllease save it for the relevant forum!
dennis
says:YEP
Beth
says:Rebby,You are on the wrong blog…get over the abortion thing…It’s legal and you don’t have to have one, so go away! You don’t get to decide for other people…we have brains. And since you are a man, you have no imput in that discussion.
Bob
says:Oh, I get it now-how stupid of me. Killing babies is legal so it’s also by default moral/ethical?? Letting your dog die is legal with almost no consequence ever, but shouldn’t be. Your perspectives are all screwed up, lady. The one who has “no input” and even less right to life than a dog is the baby.
Maris
says:The bastard is an imbecile.
michele matthews
says:i don’t understand. the human has air condition but the dog doesn’t. Really? I hope you throw the book at this stupid man. He’s not bright.
It’s is time to step up and tell people that if you are going to mistreat animals. YOU ARE GOING TO PAY!! Let’s stop the games and do what is right for the animals.
michele matthews
says:i don’t understand. the human has air condition but the dog doesn’t. Really? I hope you throw the book at this stupid man. He’s not bright.
It’s is time to step up and tell people that if you mistreat animals. YOU ARE GOING TO PAY!! Let’s stop the games and do what is right for the animals.
michele matthews
says:i don’t understand. the human has air condition but the dog doesn’t. Really? I hope you throw the book at this stupid man. He’s not really bright.
It’s is time to step and tell people that mistreat animals. YOU ARE GOING TO PAY!!
OMG !! This man needs to be put into the same situation he put this sweet dog in. & when he is close to dieing them take him out !! he should be arrested on animal abuse.
Johnna bingaman
says:These people are showing him the kind of treatment he did to this poor littl dog, and yet some want to get upset. The hell with that. The dumbass bastard is nothing but low life trash. What the hell do you expect from animal lovers. There is no sympathy for him in my book. That poor little dog suffer and he should be shown the same treatment.
meve
says:I don’t believe the owner when he said the dog became unruly. If the dog became unruly, it was because he was already suffering from heat exhaustion and probably endured abusive treatment on a daily basis. I hope they throw the book at this SKUM. I think they should lock him in a hot trailer and let him see how it feels. douche bag.
Russ
says:It is indeed truely sad thet the dog died as a result of the care it received. Many comments have called the dog’s owner nemes and wished him lots of physical harm. Is it possible that the owner simply dod not know any better? At some point the owner realized that the dog was suffering and he attempted to revive, save, or otherwise take care of the dog. Again, it is sad what happened to the dog, but do you really believe that the end result of miscaring for the dog was a deliberate act by the dog’s owner and that causing harm to the dog was a deliberate act by the owner. Maybe you feel better by lambasting the dog’s owner for his actions, but come on, there was no evidense that the dog’s owner was anything but ignorant and not a despicable action deserving some of the things suggested by some writers?
N. B.
says:Russ, you’ve got to be kidding. With the amount of public announcements every single summer about the danger of leaving animals in hot cars, there just isn’t any excuse for thinking he was simply ignorant. He just didn’t want to deal with an “unruly” dog in his cab. Poor dog probably only needed to stop and run off some energy, have a snack and relieve himself and then he’d have been good to go. I don’t go along with the more violent of suggestions as to his demise, but to write him off as simply being ignorant, I can’t go along with you, either.
Donna
says:Thank you, N.B.!!!!!!
Marilyn
says:My dog gets unruly sometimes when I have to go out of town but after buying him a thundershirt it made all the difference in the world. I would never have even thought in my mind to toss him in the trunk just because he got unruly. This guy can’t be that stupid to not know that putting a dog in the back of a closed van would suffocate them. Too many news reports have gone out of people doing exactly that. He knew..No way he didn’t..It takes less than 5 minutes for a dog to suffocate in an enclosed area with no air to breathe. If my car is hot, I turn the a/c on for at least 10 minutes before my baby gets in the car. Some people just have a bunch of brain cells that are missing and this man is a prime example.
Marilyn
says:Just wanted to clarify that “unruly” for my dog means he has anxiety for the upcoming car ride which freaks him out. He settles down afterwards.
Pam Ohler
says:So sad…so very sad 8( Our laws do not have the ability to punish people severely enough that are cruel to animals. Misdemeanors? Jail time needed. Community service, too.
And, require their mugshot be posted in stores throughout the community where they live. Let others in the grocery store passing him know what they did. That MAY have an impact on them. But then again, they are sub-human to me.
Donna
says:I agree with you. I very strongly disagree that an animal’s life is somehow not as valuable as a human life; i.e., punishment for death of an animal versus death of a human.
Dorenda
says:I agree…People that do things like this horrible person did should suffer the same things as they did to their four legged babies. RIP little dog…. we will see you at the Rainbow Bridge.
shermy sherms
says:I totally agree…been sayin that for years!! But in our society, laws would say that’s ‘cruel & unusual punishment’. I say “TOUGH! An eye for an eye…!”
Angela Wine
says:Need to lock him in the back. What a asshole.
Mary
says:Rot in hell you stupid bastard!
I wish there were better laws protecting our beloved pets. I agree with one response. Put the man in the U Haul lock the door and wait until you hear no sounds. Meaning it he will suffer the same type of death his dog did. He needs his brain cells checked.
May God bless
this animals soul as he passes over The Rainbow Bridge.
Totally agree with your comments. Also what a lovely phrase “Rainbow Bridge” bought a tear to my eye. Hope the doggie is happy on its cloud
Jay
says:You say you are ok with locking up a human being in a u haul and let him die there!!!. someone else needs to have her brain cells checked. You cannot compare a human life to an animal, wheter it is apet or not.
Donna
says:I disagree, in that our pets depend 100 percent on us for their care and wellbeing. Humans can figure things out, but our pets trust us to care for them. They need more care and attention than humans do. If I had to choose between a man’s life and a pet’s life… well, what would most people choose?
deb
says:oh ok,asshole,a human can fend for them selves an animal that we bring into our family cannot, we have made them dependant on us and we are reponsible for the position we put them into.
dennis sanford
says:Tell these people that oh brainless one, back into your hole slick
Pet Lover
says:Jay, one problem with your comment – you call this bastard human, which HE IS NOT! So yes it would be just fine to impose far more severe treatment.
June phillips
says:It’s too bad that creeps like that are allowed to own a dog. Rotten jerk should be made to do some nasty cleanup jobs for his community.
Bless the beloved dog, may he find the peace and rest he has deserved.
Debi
says:This bastard should be locked in the back of a moving truck with no water with a drive from the east coast of the US to the west coast of the US. He should also be put on a DO NOT ADOPT OR BUY list.
Elaine
says:I like your solution!!!!
Also, put a bitch in heat just out of his reach!!
Now he’s covered! Bastard!!!!
Johnny
says:Can’t agree more, makes me sad. Our pets are family!
I think it would help educate the public on how to treat animals better, and also what to do when you see animals in distress if more people were active in more Animal Rights Organizations. I think that would make the people who treat animals poorly aware that people out there are watching you, so you better be careful what you do and how you treat an animal.
J. ROSE BRLW
says:I really like your suggestion! I think you are spot on! That is the best thing I’ve read here. Thank You.
Donna
says:I like the DO NOT ADOPT OR BUY list. That’s an excellent idea. Wonder what can be done to have some sort of list instituted by law. With all the publicity about animals needing air circulation and leaving babies in cars, why do people still do it? Dogs cannot cool their bodies as well as humans can. It would be great if there was a video on pet care that pet owners could rent and watch so they’d understand.
Sammy
says:There ARE DNA “Do Not Adopt” lists. They are mostly kept private as some have been sued.
Marilyn
says:I love the way you think. This asshat does not deserve to breathe the same air as our beloved pets. What troubles me the most is these deviants usually get off scott free with a slap on the wrist. I have a brother just like him and each time I go home I kidnap his dogs and find them loving homes. He chains them up and leaves them in the country with no food or water for days at a time. I’ve turned him in to Animal Control so many times and they do nothing but give him a small fine. In their area there is no Humane Society. Our fur babies deserve more respect than to be placed in the back of a hot ass truck with all the furniture. All animal abusers should be put on a registry like they do sex offenders. I would gladly post their ugly mugs for everyone to see. My heart cries for the abuse that sweet baby endured. I have a Maltese who is my life and he is loved so much and lives a glorified life surrounded by toys and lots of love. My mom lives right outside of Cartersville, Ga and she would have gladly taken that sweet baby. My baby has 2 homes. One with me and the other at his favorite girlfriends house. This family loves him as much as I do and he loves to go spend a week or two with them. I actually took him there today for his spring break..
Beth
says:Marilyn, I’m in total agreement with you! We must continue our quest for justice for the animals! I cannot stand abusers, I want to do to them everything they did to the animals, times 10! The police and other officials should be removed from office with this kind of attitude, they clearly do not get it! Why would we want to continue to pay them for nothing – no services? Slaps on the hand for this is not close to enough, it barely gets attention. We need to expose them to the public every day, until we get laws that protect our pets!