Link (http://voices.kansascity.com/node/5606)

Robin Starr has been an outspoken critic of NFL quarterback Michael Vick for leading a cruel dogfighting ring. Vick acted despicably, then served his time in prison.

But today Starr is dealing with a cruel twist of fate.

A 16-year-old family dog died in the back seat of her car last week after being left there for four hours on a hot day in Richmond, Va.

Let's be clear: By all accounts so far, this was an accident that could have been avoided.

Starr, the CEO of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says she didn't realize the deaf and blind dog -- named Louie -- was in the car.

That's because her husband, Ed, had put the dog in the back seat but failed to tell his wife. The dog died of kidney failure.

Already, internet message boards are full of hateful comments about Starr. Some try to equate the accident involving her dog with the Vick dogfighting incidents.

There is no valid comparison at all, and people know it.

Vick knew exactly what he was doing when dogs were mauled or even killed during the dog fights at his home.

I'm sorry, but how do you not realize your pet or your child is in the car with you and why would you leave them in a car anyways? :rolleyes: I do agree that what she did and what Vick did are two totally separate things.

Granted this should have been avoided, but there's a HUGE difference between stupidity(which was completely accidental) and torturing and killing dogs(intentional and premeditated).

No comment!!

I'm sorry, but how do you not realize your pet or your child is in the car with you and why would you leave them in a car anyways? :rolleyes:

It's possible - some people simply don't pay attention to stuff like that all the time. I'm the same way sometimes. If I was driving (I can't drive, but speaking hypothetically) - if I was driving and someone had put an animal in the back seat, but hadn't told me, I think there is a good chance that I wouldn't realise it was there, especially if it didn't make a sound. So I think she really didn't notice.

It's a very horrid accident and of course there is no way that it can, or should, be equated with what Mr Vick did. This lady wasn't being intentionally cruel - it was an accident, which yes, could have been avoided, but it's VERY different to intentionally harming animals.

OK, I know there is a difference between what Vick did and the unfortunate situation with Robin Starr. That poor dog was in the car for 4 hours!! How can you not notice your dog gone for 4 hours? Maybe it's just me, but I always do a 'headcount" with my pets, especially since I know a couple of my pets jump up in my car when the doors are open, like when I'm taking the groceries in.

The man was at fault here, not the woman. He should have told her
that he put the dog in the car. There was no way she could have
known otherwise.