Dog Found Dead in Stolen Van in Los Angeles; $5,000 Reward for Information Offered by PETA

Opposing Views ^ | 08/21/2013 | By Phyllis M Daugherty

[Responsibility2nd]

A gentle Golden Labrador Retriever was found dead in her family’s minivan in Studio City, after the van was stolen on Saturday with her in it. A $5,000 reward is being offered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for information leading to the arrest and cruelty-to-animals conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

On Saturday, August 17, Nayo Mateo took his wife and two-year-old daughter shopping at a strip mall in Studio City, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. The family took Maru, their beautiful ten-year-old Golden Labrador Retriever, along for the ride.

It was a hot day, with temperatures reaching 99 degrees in the San Fernando Valley, where Studio City is located. After waiting in the van awhile, Nayo decided to leave the air-conditioner on in the vehicle and duck into the store to ask his wife to finish her shopping. He left Maru in the van to stay cool. When Nayo walked out of the store, he immediately saw the Honda Odyssey—and their beloved Maru--had been stolen.

The family contacted police and searched for their car and dog for hours Sunday to no avail. They also posted fliers and visited several animal shelters.

Around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, detectives with the North Hollywood division of LAPD said they received a call about an abandoned van nearby at the Weddington Golf & Tennis Club at 4141 Whitsett Ave. in Studio City.

Sadly, officers found Maru dead in the back seat with the windows rolled up. An LAPD detective said a preliminary examination indicates she may have died of heat stroke.

The family says Maru was a sweet, quiet dog and her constant companion, his 2-year-old daughter Lucy, won't stop asking where Maru is.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering the $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and cruelty-to-animals conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD North Hollywood Division at .

“Maru likely experienced a prolonged, painful and terrifying death, which is typical of animals left in hot cars who succumb to heat stroke,” says PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch in a statement. “Perpetrators of crimes against animals must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Sources: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=9210988 ">Press Telegram

 

[Responsibility2nd]

[Nachum]

Poor dog.

[SkyDancer]

PETA is upset because they didn’t have the opportunity to euthanize the dog and gain some more free publicity.

[Sans-Culotte]

I don’t want to sound like I’m blaming the victim; but it is stupid to leave one’s vehicle running with a pet inside while going into a store. There is no way I’d do either. The owner’s curiosity about “what’s taking so long?” cost the dog its life.

[Ghost of SVR4]

$5,000 Reward for Information Offered by PETA

Because PETA doesn't like competition.

[Vendome]

Poor thing.

Rest in Peace...

Karma’s on the hunt and you need not ask why things happen to you...

[WayneS]

My smart-a$$ persona blurted out: Maru should not have stolen a van that requires thumbs to open the doors from the inside. ;-)

My dog-lover persona flowed with: This is horrible, and I hope the perpetrators are caught, arrested and prosecuted the fullest extent of the law. What a terrible way to die. :-(

[Vendome]

I’m guessing he didn’t have an Obama phone and was getting a bit irritated about being taken advantage of...

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

I hope that there is a Heaven for dogs. Some preachers claim that animals just die while others claim that they go to some kind of heavenly realm. I see Biblical arguments for both sides, so all I can do is pray about it.

Perhaps the owner should have had two sets of keys, locking the first key inside the running van, a/c on and windows up, doors locked. When it is cold out (-30F is not uncommon in Calgary), I often start the car, leaving the engine running, and lock the doors with the key in the ignition. I then go inside, keeping an eye on the car. Once it has warmed up enough for the frost to clear from the window, I use the second key to open the door and drive away.

[WayneS]

Sorry, My dog-lover persona followed with...

[Westbrook]

Uh, that’s a yellow lab, not a golden retriever.

Still a beautiful dog.

[Bon of Babble]

This is a heartbreaking story!! (I live in the area).

He left the car running so it was fairly easy to steal.

He should have shut off the engine and brought Maru into the store with him, especially since it was a pet store that most certainly allows pets.

So sorry for that beautiful, yellow lab...

[Responsibility2nd]

Well said.

[OldPossum]

Perhaps the owner should have had two sets of keys...

This is something that has always puzzled me, i.e., people who have but one set of keys. I never have fewer than two keys to my car, often three.

Not doing this helps ensure that one day you'll lock yourself out of your car.

[PAR35]

Well, the owners are too stupid to be allowed to own another dog. And the car thief should be shot.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

Exactly, however, I have an AMA-Alberta Motor Association membership. (AAA in the US, I believe?) I got it for my wife and, as she’s gone, I renew it for me in case I ever need a tow. They will also come out and unlock your car for free, as a member, but I keep a second key, just for winter starting.

[hoosierham]

I make a point of having extra door keys for my cars;much cheaper than a locksmith call!And have done the leave it runnung but locked thing a few times in extreme weather.

[FourtySeven]

Not to get too far off thread topic but Volkswagens make it virtually impossible to lock your keys in the car. You can’t lock the doors manually while the drivers’ side door is open and, IIRC, while inside you can’t even use the remote fob to lock the doors. (I don’t have one anymore)

With all that said, I’m a bit confused: how would keeping even 50 sets of keys in the car prevent being locked out of it? If you accidentally lock the car all the spare keys are locked inside too; or am I missing something?

[novascotianative]

Stupid idiot. (The owner). They do ‘t deserve to own a dog.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

The cops in Calgary try to coax people not to leave their cars running in the winter when they go to the store. I also believe that insurance covers you, if you have left the keys in the car and it is stolen. I believe though, that by locking the car, you should be covered. Also, unless someone purposely has a ‘jimmy bar’, the only way in is to smash the driver’s window. Few will bother, if it is -25F outside, so I think that locking the keys inside would be OK.

As I write, I shudder to note that there is a frost warning for Rocky Mountain House, 120 miles NW of here, in the mountains! Winter is coming, oh too soon! Canada needs to re-start discussions with Trinidad & Tobago on amalgamating. I want a job down there, where it is warm!