Every summer we hear terrifying reports of children and animals who are left in vehicles. It takes only a moment for a vehicle to transform into a virtual oven. Even cracking a window open in 70 degree weather does not eliminate the dangers. Every year we hear stories about people leaving children and animals in cars “for just 2 minutes” to drop something off or pick up something fast and return to the car and discover their lifeless child or animal inside. If you had never heard of such a thing you must be living under a rock. The weather doesn’t have to be very hot in order for it to be dangerous.
What can happen to dogs left in hot cars?
- Panting
- Dehydration
- Excessive drooling
- Heatstroke
- Increased body temperature
- Sudden (acute) kidney failure
- Multi-organ failure
- Rapid heart rate
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shock
- Cardiac arrest
- Brain damage
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness in which the dog cannot be stimulated to be awakened
- Death
The following video illustrates how it would feel to be in a hot car:
Depending upon the severity of the situation, the dog might need to be rushed to the vet. Pump up the air conditioning. Give the dog cold water to drink and you can put cold water onto the dog and drive with the windows open you have no air conditioner.
Not all states within the USA have legislation to protect animals that are left unattended in vehicles (Hot Car Laws). Extremes in weather can be life-threatening to humans and animals. Keep in mind that the below image is from 2020. It’s just to give you a general idea in visual form.
Specific legislation and provisions for each state:
The Animal Legal Defense Fund at the . More specifically, what is covered under the laws, what is prohibited, the penalties, and the rescue provisions for each state that has legislation.
Each of those states with legislation has different requirements with regard to breaking into a vehicle when there is a dog unattended and in danger due to weather conditions. For example, Tennessee and Wisconsin have “Good Samaritan laws” allowing a bystander to break into a vehicle to rescue a dog (after following a specific protocol). New York and Florida have pending laws for good samaritans. Other states only allow law enforcement, firefighters, or certain animal organizations to perform the task of removing the dog from a vehicle. Something I can’t wrap my brain around is that New Jersey and West Virginia have laws regarding animals in hot cars, yet there are no provisions for rescuing these dogs (even by law enforcement).
What can you do if you see a dog left in a hot car?
1. Take pics of the dog in the car, the license plate and write down the car make and model.
2. If there is time to do so, go into nearby stores and report the situation to the manager. Provide the manager with the license plate, make, and model of the vehicle. Tell the manager to page the owner of that car. Make sure the manager follows through.
3. Wait by the car for the owner to return. Explain to the owner about the dangers of leaving the dog in the car. Be calm and sincere. People are more likely to listen if you don’t put them on the defense. People really don’t do such stupid things deliberately so don’t jump down a person’s throat so you can help the person understand how dangerous a couple of minutes in the car can be.
4. If the person doesn’t show up or refuses to do anything, contact any of the following:
- 911
- local humane authorities
- fire department
- PETA can help. They have a nationwide hotline for use in dire circumstances 757-622-PETA (7382), select option 2 then select option 0 to speak to someone immediately.
Sources:
| Animal Legal Defense Fund. (2021, February 16). An avoidable tragedy: Dogs in hot cars. Animal Legal Defense Fund. <https://aldf.org/project/an-avoidable-tragedy-dogs-in-hot-cars/#overview-of-state-laws/>
Newsroom. “All Dog Breeds Deserve A Chance – State Farm®.” State Farm. State Farm Insurance, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2016. <https://www.statefarm.com/about-us/newsroom/2015/09/29/all-dog-breeds-deserve-a-chance>. “Overview of State Laws: Leaving Unattended Animals in Vehicles – Animal Legal Defense Fund.” Animal Legal Defense Fund. N.p., 26 Jan. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2016. <http://aldf.org/cases-campaigns/action-alerts/dogs-in-hot-cars/overview-of-state-laws-leaving-unattended-animals-in-vehicles/>. |
