UPDATE 6/22/16: message from the Royals: "Thank you for your email and concern as we take animal cruelty very serious here at the Royals. Anytime an animal is left in a vehicle during our games, our typical protocol is to call Animal Control to rescue the dog and allow them to handle matters from there as they are the proper authority to do so. We do try to identify the guest so that we can inform them that their animal was taken by animal control during the game. Our preference has been that guests do not bring their pets onto the complex, especially when there is a high weather temperature. This was a unique situation and our number one concern was to provide the puppy with cool air, water and companionship until we could turn him over to animal control the next day. We are appreciative of one our guests for reporting the situation to us and making the rescue. Please note that the puppy has been in the great hands of the KC Pet Project shelter since Monday and they have the authority to determine who adopts the puppy should it go up for adoption as there are many factors involved in that decision.

Moving forward, we will always include KCPD to be with us when Animal Control is called so that they can document the situation as well and we did not do so in this case as their assistance was not needed to get the puppy out. In addition, we have solidified our policies in which animals/pets not validated as service animals will not be allowed on the complex. Those who bring their animals on the complex will be asked to leave the complex for the safety of the pet and other guests. Those who leave their animals in vehicles during our games will result in a call to Animal Control and possible animal cruelty violations from their end. Our number one concern is animal safety and we can ensure you that this situation has provided us with the opportunity to enhance our process/policies.

In addition, we take pride in supporting local animal organizations such as KC Pet Project and Wayside Waifs. We also host two bark at the park days at the stadium during the regular season. Thank you for your support of the Royals and feel free to contact us if we can further assist you.

Thanks,
Jonathan"

UPDATE 6/20/16: Puppy stayed overnight with a Royals staff member and was taken to animal control on Monday. Puppy is being held for 5 days to see if the owners come forward. If not, he will go up for adoption.

UPDATE 6/19/16: A car parked down the street at Kansas City Pet Project (4400 Raytown Road) had an internal air temperature of 138 degrees Farhenheit at 2:00pm on 6/19/16, after being parked for 3 hours. The Royals game started at 1:15pm and ended at 4:47pm.

On Sunday, June 19th, 2016, an 8 week old puppy was left in a car in the Kauffman Stadium parking lot. Temperatures that day were in the 90s, and the temperature inside of the vehicle even higher. Good samaritans that left the Royals game during the 8th inning heard the dog crying and took action immediately. They called the Kansas City Police Department, who radioed Royals guest services and the puppy was removed from the vehicle.

Unfortunately, Animal Control and the police department did not come onto the scene to assist in the incident. Instead, Royals guest services left a note for the puppy's owner and took the puppy inside to guest services to wait and see if the owners would come claim him. Although a relief to know that this puppy was removed from the car, proper accountability was not held for the owner. Animal control should've been called to take the dog to the animal shelter as a "cruelty" case and seen by a veterinarian, and the owners of the vehicle should've been located and the case handled by the police department.

Furthermore, in a Kansas City Star article, the director of Royals guest services, Anthony Mozzicato, said that about once a month they are called to rescue dogs from cars in the Kauffman stadium parking lot. Mozzicato also simply said that dogs locked in cars during games, "puts us in a really awkward situation." It's not simply "awkward", it's dangerous and deadly.

Instead of brushing off the events of June 19th as simply something that happens often, Kauffman stadium should be taking steps to prevent dogs (and other animals) from being locked in cars. Kauffman stadium needs to have a policy where visitors are not allowed to pass through the parking gates if a dog (or any other animal) is in the vehicle, regardless of outdoor temperatures. The only exceptions being Bark at The Park and approved service animals. In both of those cases, staff should still be mandated to instruct the owners that the dog (or other animal) has to be taken into the game, NOT left in the car. Signage should also be clearly displayed throughout the parking lot toll booths, parking lots, entrance gates, and inside the stadium.

I'm appalled that Kauffman stadium seems to shrug off this repeated issue. I am a Kansas City sports fan, but I will be boycotting Kauffman stadium until there is a change in policies. An innocent life was nearly lost today (the puppy could still have permanent brain damage and other injuries), and it's not the first time it's happened in your parking lot. Please make changes immediately.