Dog Left in Hot Car: Pet Sitter Faces Animal Cruelty Charges In Florida

Really? In Florida? A Dog left in a hot car? Meet Melissa Major, a 24-year-old who allegedly somehow thought it was a good idea to leave a dog in a hot car. Monday afternoon, St. Petersburg was basically an oven, hitting 89 degrees but feeling like 95. But here’s Melissa, attending a meeting at City Hall, while a poor pup is left baking in her car.

According to FOX13, some good Samaritan spotted a dog left in hot car and called the cops. Now, Major wasn’t just stepping out for a quick errand; she left the dog in there for almost 2 hours. When the police got there, the dog was panting like it had run a marathon. The car was off, and the windows were barely cracked, maybe half an inch. Talk about creating a mobile sauna.

Turns out, Melissa was dog-sitting for a friend who was on vacation. She was dog sitting?! Well, that's a major red flag. It didn't take long for the police to arrest the worst dog sitter ever. Can you imagine being on vacation and getting that call? "Hey, your dog-sitter got arrested for almost killing your dog with stupidity." That’s a vacation-ruiner right there.

The St. Petersburg Police took the situation seriously, and rightfully so. The dog left in the hot car was whisked away to an animal hospital, hopefully to recover from the ordeal. Meanwhile, Melissa admitted to her boneheaded move after the cops read her rights.

It’s amazing to think anyone in their right mind would leave an animal in those hot conditions, but here we are. The cops did their job, the dog’s getting some TLC, and Melissa Major has a date with the judge. Let's maybe learn from this one. If you wouldn’t want to sit in a car with the windows barely open on a blazing hot day, don’t subject an innocent dog to it. Simple, right?

There's something truly special about having a close relationship with your pet. They say a dog is "man's best friend," and it's totally accurate. I have friends and family who truly feel like their pets are a member of the family. Pets will be there for you through thick and thin. Pets are also know for being loyal, which can be a really good feeling in this world. So, what are the most popular dogs right now?

Danspetcare.com has a great article out that names the most popular dogs in the world right now. In it, they describe that special relationship that one has with their pet. "From hunting to sled-pulling to herding and protection, dogs have helped us survive and thrive in countless ways," they explain. "One of the most important roles dogs play in our lives is companionship."

So, what do you do if you're in the market for a new dog? Danspetcare.com has some good advice on how to pick the right breed. They explain that finding the right breed is a big part of that decision. So, ask yourself, do you want a delicate breed or a more meaty, masculine breed? Also, what's the purpose of you wanting a pet? Do you want a pet for protection, or are you looking for a small buddy for some companionship?

Either way, when you're in the market for a new pet, make sure to have lots of questions and ask the right people before settling on your little guy or gal. I remember one of my friends buying the cutest little puppy ever only to see it grow into a huge dog that was almost too big for her apartment. She loved him, but it was quite a surprise. Read on to discover the most popular dogs right now and some more stats. Find more via Danspetcare.com here

According to Danspetcare.com, the most popular dog in the world is the Labrador Retriever. "They’re often used to provide comfort and reassurance for anxious humans," the study says. So true. No. 2 are Golden Retrievers and No. 3 are German Shepherds. Find more via Danspetcare.com here.

Dogpackapp.com has an article out about the most popular dog breeds right now. No. 1 on the list is the French bulldog. Those dogs are adorable, right? No. 2 is the Labrador Retriever and No. 3 is the Golden Retriever. Very popular, of course. Find the full list here.

What about the most common dogs? According to A-z-animals.com, No. 1, again are Labrador Retrievers, followed by Bulldogs and Rottweiler. The German Shepherd and Dachshund round out the top five. Find the full list here.

What if you want a small pup? The smallest dog breed, according to Forbes.com is the Pomeranian at 3-7 pounds. So cute. It's followed by the Toy Poodle and Toy Fox Terrier. Find the full list here.

What if you want a really big dog? According to Forbes.com, the largest dog breed is the Mastiff at 120-230 pounds. It's followed by the Boerboel and Tosa Inu. Find the full list here.