A Tesla owner in Ireland, Ross Hunt, was cleared of breaking animal welfare laws after a judge accepted that the owner’s beloved poodle was actually safe inside the climate-controlled electric vehicle.
A concerned passer-by saw the poodle, Loki, sitting inside the Tesla Model S on a hot day and called authorities, which resulted in a charge for Hunt under the Animal, Health and Welfare Act. He pleaded not-guilty.
Hunt said he explained to a Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) inspector that the car maintained a safe temperature when the car was parked. He even showed the inspector his phone with the Tesla app displaying the car’s inside temperature.
“He had also thought they were going to break one of the windows as he came running to them,” according to a report from Irish Independent.
The trial even included an expert witness from Tesla to confirm the car was fitted with a system to keep the dog cool, even when the car was parked and locked.
“Dismissing the charges, Judge John Brennan said he accepted Mr Hunt’s evidence and said it was quite clear he was very loving, responsible and caring dog owner,” according to the Independent.
The news comes a week after TMC member James Morrison was surprised to step into a parking lot in Burlington, Ontario and find police surrounding his Model 3. Similarly, a concerned citizen had reported that Morrison had left his dog Amber in a hot car with the windows up.
Fortunately, police accepted Morrison’s explanation.
“The police officers were very nice,” Morrison said. “We showed them the dog mode and they asked to feel the temperature inside. They took photos of the sign, I expect to educate their peers.”
Photo: Not Hunt’s actual poodle