Plantation Locksmith
(954) 947-7666

How Our Locksmiths Saves Dog's Lives
Real story by Plantation Locksmith

We get many urgent calls, but there are some that are a matter of life and death

Our technicians in Plantation Locksmith are used to urgent phone calls of people being locked out and needing help right away, but every now and then we get a call that’s about saving lives of children or animals. We never forget these cases.

It was one of those really hot days of the Southern Florida summer when Locksmith Plantation received a phone call. A woman had taken her dogs for a run at Markham Park. At the end of the run, she got the dogs back in the car and shut the door. To her horror she realized she had left her keys and phone in the seat with the dogs, and the doors were locked.

She went through some very stressing moments of trying to figure out what to do. It was clear that any moment passing while the dogs are locked in the hot car is risking their lives. ‘It was so hot in the car, it felt like an oven when I let them in,’ she told us later, ‘and I realized my dogs must be suffering in there and I couldn’t help them.’

Eventually she was able to find someone with a phone and called Plantation Locksmith. We told her to break a window, but she had nothing at hand to do so. She was extremely upset, as the dogs were already overheating.

We rushed to the park as fast as we could, loaded up with cold water and tools. When we got there we saw the poor dogs watching us helplessly from inside the car, their tongues hanging out as they were clearly getting dehydrated. We got there in the nick of time and were able to break into her car and get the dogs out. We gave them a lot of cold water, cranked up the air conditioning, and everyone was happy once again—including us.

It was a stressful mission, but one that is replicated in similar situations far too often. In 2019 there were 44 cases of children who suffered and died from heatstroke due to being trapped in cars during the hottest months of the summer. There are no statistics on how many dogs suffer the same fate, because many cases are unreported.

It is extremely upsetting to think about a child or a pet going through this suffer, but this type of neglect can easily be avoided, or at least rectified by someone who takes action.

Here is what you can do if you see a child or an animal locked in a hot car. Remember: taking action quickly could save a life.

If you see a child in a locked car: Call 911 asap. If you can, call Locksmith Plantation at the same time, or call just after you hang up with 911. If you have something strong enough and can do so safely without hurting the child, break a window.

If you have accidentally locked your car with your child or animal and your keys inside: Call Locksmith Plantation immediately. We will rush to your location and be there as quickly as possible. If you can safely do so break a window. You may also be able to get someone nearby to help you. If the child is over the age of two you can attempt to get them to unlock the door from the inside.

Important to know: if your baby or pet get locked out in your car, we give 50% discount and a fast response.