We’ve all witnessed it before. There’s a dog sitting in a vehicle on a hot summer day with no air condition, no breeze, and no owner in sight. Maybe their owner is in the process of relocating and ran into the store to grab a few things off their moving checklist or maybe they’re gone longer than expected. Whatever the case may be, the animal trapped in the vehicle could be in serious trouble if their body starts to overheat. What if it’s cooler outside, it shouldn’t be a problem then, right? Wrong. It’s important to remember that even when it feels relatively cool outside, the temperature inside the car can still heat up to dangerous conditions. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, within the first 10 minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise 20 degrees Fahrenheit, despite the window being cracked open. …show more content…
Well, it all depends on where you live. The very first thing you’ll want to do, however, is call animal control so they can rescue the animal. If you can’t get in contact with anyone, then try calling 911. There are a number of states that allow emergency responders to break into locked vehicles to save an animals life. Get Familiar With State Laws: Michigan State University’s Animal Legal and Historical Center reports that there are currently over 10 states that have laws in place that make it illegal to leave animals unattended in dangerous conditions. Although they are laws in place to protect animals from suffocating inside vehicles, the laws vary depending on the state. So what might be legal in New Hampshire, might not be legal in Florida, which could result in a default lawsuit, despite the animal, being in danger. With that in mind, here’s a look at how things currently stand at the moment. As of right now, there are only 14 states that make it legal for emergency personnel (like law enforcement and animal control) to break into locked vehicles to rescue dogs. They are: Delaware