Just like humans, our loyal little friends are protected under laws that prevent them from being left in extreme temperatures including both hot and cold. However, of 50 continental states in the United States, only 31 states have some form of laws against pets being left in cars.
As we have discussed in last week’s posting, dogs have lower threshold against hot temperatures as they are unable to sweat and cool off when compared to humans. The following list contains some of the more exclusive clauses that humans should be aware of when bringing pets in their vehicles, or when trying to rescue a pet that has been left in a hot vehicle. Please note that three hottest states within the continental United States are covered below. For complete law clauses, and other related information, please refer to the article reference link listed at the bottom of this posting.
- Indiana state law: “A person who forcibly enters a motor vehicle to remove a domestic animal from the motor vehicle is liable to the owner or lessee for one-half of the damagecaused by the forcible entry (unless liability is waived)”. Law enforcement personnel, vets, are excluded. Some conditions are as follows.
- a domestic animal must be present in the enclosed space of the motor vehicle and the person must reasonably believe the animal is in danger of suffering serious bodily harm;
- person must determine the vehicle is locked and forcible entry is only way to remove animal;
- person must call 911 before entry
- West Virginia state law: “Unattended and confined in a motor vehicle when physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result”.
- No one is allowed to rescue a pet that is left in hot vehicle.
- If someone attempts to rescue a pet left in hot vehicle, charges may follow: Guilty of a misdemeanor; upon conviction shall be fined not less than $300 nor more than $2000 or confined in jail not more than 6 months, or both.
- California state law: “Leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.” Some conditions set for immunity from being prosecuted by law are as follows.
- determines the vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable manner for the animal to be removed from the vehicle
- a has good faith belief that forcible entry into the vehicle is necessary because the animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm
- contacted a local law enforcement agency, the fire department, animal control, or 911 prior to forcible entry
- Texas state law: currently Texas does not have state law against pets left in hot vehicles.
- Florida state law: due to extensive law clauses, please click on following link for additional details www.animallaw.info/statute/fl-cruelty-humane-slaughter-consolidated-cruelty-statuteshumane-slaughter-laws#s768_139. Some conditions set for immunity from being prosecuted by law are as follows.
- determines the motor vehicle is locked or there is otherwise no reasonable method to remove animal.
- has a good faith and reasonable belief, based on circumstances, that entry is necessary because the domestic animal is in imminent danger of suffering harm
- notifies law enforcement or 911 before entering motor vehicle (or immediately thereafter)
From editor’s point of view, leaving a live animal no matter what species it is belongs to, is animal cruelty. From the day that we have decided to either adopt or purchase a pet, we have the responsibility to give our best care, our most love, and our responsibility to give them the best possible life we know how. They may not be able to convey how they feel when compared to humans, but their all of their love, compassion, and dedication are second to none. As golden rule would say: “do onto others as you would have them do onto you”!
Imagine if you were someone’s pet for a moment, how would you feel being left behind in a hot vehicle?
