Jennifer Beals Defends Leaving Dog in Hot Car, Says Passerby Was 'Barking Up the Wrong Tree'

Jennifer Beals was confronted in a parking lot for leaving her dog in a hot car. 

The actress, who shot to fame in the 80's classic, Flashdance, left her German Shepherd in the front seat of her car in a Vancouver, Canada, neighborhood. A concerned citizen noticed the dog panting, and confronted the actress.

Read: Watch Passerby Smash Car Window to Save Toddler in 110-Degree Heat

Beals told the individual, “In Dunbar, it is, it's fine. Thank you.”

The individual said, “Just letting you know, I am reporting this.”

In a statement to INSIDE EDITION, Beals addressed her critics: "I would never, ever jeopardize an animal's safety. Ever. The morning was a cool 73 degrees.

“I rolled all four windows down and left the car for five minutes to pick up laundry, my car visible to me the entire time. While I appreciate their vigilance..they were barking up the wrong tree."

The incident comes on the heels of disturbing scenes in recent days -- two more children being rescued from hot cars.

A two-year-old was screaming as an officer pulled her from a sweltering hot minivan in a New Jersey Costco parking lot.  

Read: How Long Could You Last in a Hot Car?

“Is this your kid? You left her in the car!” the officer said to the mom.

“Sorry, sorry!” said the mom.

“No sorry!  She could have died!” said the officer.

The mother was arrested for child endangerment.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma mom Hannah Secondi left her child in a hot car for more than 45 minutes while she shopped in Walmart.  The temperature in the car was more than 120 degrees.

The mom was heard saying, “Oh God! I can't believe I did that!" An officer asked, “Are you the mother?” She replied, “Yes!” Secondi was arrested for child abuse.   

Watch Below: Carrie Underwood Saves Son from Hot Car