fyl commentking, how could it not be ops fault? I cant believe that you said that!

Or it's a manual and therefor does not have a park gear.

Or it is a manual, and OP left it in neutral and didn't engage the emergency brake. That's what I'm guessing REALLY happened.

It was 5 frigging minutes. Nothing would have happened to the dog. Especially since the AC had been on up until OP parked in front of the store, so the temperature inside the car wouldn't have been too hot.

What if there had been a long line at the check out? OP couldn't honestly predict how long they would be in the store.

well leaving the car running with the keys in unattended and out if sight is just a stupid decision in general it's an open target to car thieves.

I live out in the middle of nowhere. "everybody knows everybody" type place. First of all, no one is dumb enough around here to steal a car, because if they do, someone knows them. Second, even if they did, I park said car up front by the cameras when I leave it on for my dog. Third, **** all of you if you think it's okay to leave a dog in a car without the air conditioner on. Why don't you try sitting in a car like that yourself? Would you leave your child in the car like that? Same thing. Both are living and cannot survive in temperatures that are created when A METAL (gets very hot, for you dumb kids) BOX ON WHEELS SITS UNDER THE SUN (is already very hot).

You are the idiot. Do you assume that just because you live in the middle of nowhere that everyone else does too? Second, most of the store cameras are either fake, or are not actually set up to record. It gets too expense and so most of those stores are just hoping that people will be more cautious because of a camera in place. Third, it is not okay to leave a pet unattended in a car. If you think OP is responsible by leaving a RUNNING car with a pet inside is responsible, then you are seriously naïve. OP should have either took the pet inside with them if possible or left them at home to go to the store. A pet is a responsibility that most people are too ignorant to handle.

lol, oh okay. they're not running even though when I walk into the store a monitor that shows every cameras feed is sitting right there. mhm. not to mention, yeah. I live in the middle of nowhere. how often are people who don't live here visiting? never. no hotels. nothing to see. sorry, champ. if I'm going inside where my pet is not allowed, I'm leaving him on the car with the air conditioner on. he'll be fine considering it's really no different than leaving him alone at home, since I'm pretty sure most dogs don't figure out how to hit the brake in order to switch gears. now **** off, love.

No, you don't leave your pets in the vehicle!