“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
Good news! Georgia authorities have dropped charges against a Desert Storm veteran that broke into a car to save a dog.
You’ll remember the story last week about Michael Hammons, an Army veteran and animal lover that was arrested after he smashed a car window to rescue a distressed dog locked in a hot car in a parking lot.
Supporters from around the world rallied in support of Hammons, with outrage that he was arrested for saving a life, and with anger toward the dog’s owner that insisted Athens, Georgia police charge him with a crime rather than commend him for saving her tiny Pomeranian-mix from dying inside the hot car.
Although current Georgia law allows citizens to break into a vehicle to save a person in distress, the law doesn’t give the same rights to those attempting to save a dog.
“The laws need to be changed to protect the animals, not necessarily the people,” Mark Martin, a pet store owner who rallied around Hammons’ cause, told WXIA News. “We are the voices for the animals; they can’t speak for themselves.”
Because of public outcry and media attention around the incident, supporters stepped up to help. Many offered to help pay Hammons’ legal fees, petitions were signed, letters and calls were made to the Superior Court of Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties.
A local Ford dealership offered to replace the smashed car window for free.
District Attorney, Ken Mauldin made the easy decision to drop all charges.
Judy Pardy
Mar 3, 2016 at 6:01 pm
I AM VERY HAPPY THE LAW SAW SENSE, ABOUT MICHAEL HAMMONS, SAVING THE LIFE OF A DOG. BY SMASHING OPEN A WINDOW, OF A LOCKED CAR. IN A PARKING LOT ON A HOT DAY. THE POOR DOG WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR, AT THE TIME. THE OWNER, OF THE DOG SHOULD BE JAILED FOR LIFE. MICHAEL IS A REAL HERO.
ANGELA MONTANO
Mar 3, 2016 at 10:38 am
THE MEN DID A WONDERFUL JOB THE OWNER SHOULD GO TO JAIL & NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANY ANIMALS AT ALL ANIMAL NEED WATER AND FOOD PLUS WINDOWS DOWN FOR AIR
Brenda Soldan
Mar 3, 2016 at 9:51 am
The man is a hero and the person owning this dog should be in jail!
david reynolds
Mar 2, 2016 at 4:05 pm
he should have got a medal, shame on the stupid clueless authorities for even considering having a go at him, they should have gave him a reward and a medal…. TOP MAN
Renee calpin
Mar 2, 2016 at 12:22 pm
This is a awesome victory for animals rights, this man is a HERO!!!