Social media posts are advocating for people in the United States to smash a car window to rescue a dog in a hot car. While I wholeheartedly understand the logic of saving a distressed animal from a hot car, the information being shared is not legal in 42 states! What’s more alarming is in two states- New Jersey and West Virginia – law enforcement isn’t allowed to save a dog in a hot car either. It’s illegal to confine a pet in a hot car in these two states but what happens when it occurs because it will?
According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), only eight states – California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee- have “Good Samaritan Laws” that allow any person to break a car window to save a pet. The ALDF is warning people to understand the laws in their states when it comes to saving dogs in hot cars.
Two recent cases highlight the devastation caused by leaving man’s best friend in a car on a hot day. Diesel, a K-9 Officer who worked for the Sebastian Police Department in Florida for one year was found dead in his car by his partner/handler after leaving a courthouse hearing. The handler is said to be devastated. The temperature had risen to 88 degrees on the day Diesel lost his life in April. The unnamed police officer has been with the police dep’t for 11 years. He wasn’t working that day.
Diesel K-9 Officer/ Photo courtesy of SebastianPolice Department
In Oregon, John Joseph Harrison, 57, left his two dogs, a Border Collie mix and Rottweiler mix, in his car for a number of hours on May 3rd in the Klamath Tribute Center parking lot, a funeral home. Both dogs were found deceased in the car. Two first-degree misdemeanor charges of animal neglect were filed against Harrison. He faces up to one year in jail and a fine of $6250 for each count. The temperature reached 80 degrees that day. (Take note: Harrison was not charged with a felony.) Chief Animal Control Officer Jim Nielsen explained evidence described the scene as “pretty rough” and suggested the dogs “were trying their best to try to get out.” Harrison is not allowed to have any pets during the pending charges.
These deaths were indisputably avoidable. The most common sense approach in saving your pet’s life during hot/warm weather is to leave your pets at home where they will be safe and cool. It only takes 10 minutes for your car to heat up to 90 degrees on a 70 degree day. The temperature can reach 120 degrees in 10 minutes on a hotter day.
So what can YOU do when you spot a dog in a hot car?
- If you see an any animal in distress in a car CALL 911, as specified by the ALDF. Most states allow a public safety officer to break into a car and rescue the animal if a life is threatened.
- You have to know your state’s laws! Although 29 states have some form of “hot car” law that prohibits leaving a companion animal unattended in a parked vehicle, the laws differ drastically from place to place. Only eight states – have “Good Samaritan Laws. ” In six of those states – California, Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin – “Good Samaritans must first contact law enforcement before breaking into the car in order for their actions to be considered legal. In 19 states only a law enforcement or a humane officer is allowed to save an animal from a hot car. (Arizona, California, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington). Alabama and Arizona—have “hot car” bills pending. If your state isn’t listed here, click on Find Your State for more information.
- Tell people in a polite and courteous manner it is never okay to leave their pets in an unattended car. Tell people the dangers of leaving a pet in a hot car. Make it clear how fast a car can turn into an oven for your pet who can’t cool down easily. Explain the fur your pet has makes it that much worse to be left in a hot car. Cracking a window will not alleviate the searing heat because the temperature can skyrocket fast. Explain how any animal is at risk for heatstroke or death!
Warning signs of heatstroke:
- Is the dog panting heavily?
- Is the dog drooling excessively?
- Does the dog appear lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated?
- Is the dog collapsed or vomiting?
What happens to your dog as his body overheats and suffers from a heatstroke?
Dogs begin to pant and drool causing blood vessels to dilate. When your dog can’t cool himself, he will become dehydrated and there will be a drop in his blood pressure. As your dog’s body temperature rises, cell membranes become damaged. Your dog’s organs will begin to fail. The liver and kidneys are first to fail. The lining of the GI tract dies and damage to the heart and brain develops. This can only take a matter of minutes to occur. When the body temperature reaches 110 degrees, your dog can die within minutes.
Your dog may have difficulty breathing, vomiting blood and have bloody diarrhea. A clear sign that your dog is not getting enough oxygen is pale or blue gums. Your dog will collapse and possibly have seizures.
If your dog is at this stage, soak him in cool (not cold or ice) water. You can place wet towels around his body. Take him to your or the nearest veterinarian ASAP! Your dog’s life is at stake.
Your dog can survive a heatstroke with prompt and intensive treatment but sadly, too many die from this avoidable tragedy because the window of opportunity to save their lives was closed.
Save your pet’s life by never allowing them to be in a hot car!!
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer and is an unabashed animal advocate . Her love for animals is what drives her to promote awareness of the many issues facing animals. She hosts the show, ” A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues and check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com for all the tv shows, articles, and podcasts you may have missed!
Save a life. Worry about the law later.
Break the window. Save the dog. Ask questions later! 🙂
Who will prosecute a case against a person who saves a dog’s life?
A money hungry lawyer.
Who’s the dog ? in the blazer?
Hi Hal,
This was a dog I was watching while in a parking lot. I kept an eye on him and was preparing to get the owner when he finally came out of the store. He was inside for at least 25 minutes, if not more. The dog wasn’t suffering or I would’ve found him earlier. I wanted to be sure the dog was ok. The man didn’t seem to thrilled with me as I was getting his license plate information, just in case I needed the police. There was no need for other assistance. Thanks!
25 minutes? That’s too long. It looks sunny in the picture too. People are so damn stupid and selfish.
This much I know. You can just break someone’s car window. You have to take the precautionary step first before attempting to do it. You can get into trouble; although I don’t see why if a pet or child is in trouble. The laws really do suck. Abusers can get away with murder but a good Samaritan can get into trouble for doing this. We r so backwards. smh
Do it anyway! You save a dog’s life! What’s to question?