Army vet arrested for saving dog

Broke window of car where woman left small dog in the hot sun, suffering.
@CBSNews: Army veteran smashes window to save small dog from hot car in Georgia, gets arrested http://cbsn.ws/1cu2Ur8 http://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/59...728128/photo/1

I saw this on the news. Just based on what little information was given, if this goes to court it could go either way.
There is a valid complaint for misdemeanor property damage. But there also is a valid complaint for misdemeanor animal cruelty too. But my take on this based on the limited information available, this probably doesn't go beyond a fine, at the most.

What should have happened (I SUSPECT) is that animal control should have been called (here that is the sherrif's dept) and then they handled it. If the animal was in distress, then you bust the window but ONLY if the dog is in distress. Until then you wait until the police arrive which should be quick assuming you call 911.

I'll bet this gets thrown out. She (the car owner) gets persuaded to drop the charges when she gets notice that she will be charged with animal cruelty.

Deputies say the car's owner insisted Hammons be arrested. Deputies did not identify the woman. She was cited for leaving the dog in the hot car.

Georgia state law allows an individual to break a window to save a child in distress but not a pet. Animal advocates say they are working to change the law.

http://www.cbsnews.com/live/

Since she was cited, that's the correct response. He will most likely have to make restitution for the window, and maybe pay a fine.
But then the argument can be made on his part that if the dog had not been left in the car unattended and in distress from the heat that he would not have broken her window. Not sure that this rises to the level of a "Good Samaritan" act, but I think it would be an arguable point.