What to do if you find an animal locked in a hot car

[DainBramaged]

As of September 28, 2011, in Maine, Emergency Medical Technicians and Firefighters will be added to the list of those that can rescue animals from a locked car, even if the windows are open a crack. Police officers and animal control officers already have this authority.

People should never leave any pet locked in a vehicle in the sun, even if the weather seems cool. The interior can quickly heat up and suffocate the pet in a very short time. The temperature can increase by 40 degrees in less than 10 minutes. If an animal is in a locked car, even if the windows are open a crack, notify the local police or animal control officer. In Maine, the law allows these officials to remove any animal from a hot car.

Automobile temperatures can very quickly rise to dangerous levels; the average temperature increase in a parked car is 40 degrees, and the majority of this increase occurs in the first 15 to 30 minutes, according to the ASPCA. When it’s 80 degrees outside, the car will be 114 degrees after 30 minutes.

Dogs cannot cool themselves down as easily as people, and once they overheat, they can suffer extensive organ damage or die.

Anyone that sees an animal in a locked car should do the following:

Try to Locate the Pet Parent
Go to security and ask them to page the person that owns the car.
Educate Pet Owners
Explain to the pet owners the dangers of leaving the pet in a hot car. Make sure the pet gets out of the car as soon as possible.
Call 911

Fourteen states have enacted specific laws that protect dogs in hot cars, as have many municipalities—but even in places lacking such a law, leaving an animal in a hot car may constitute cruelty. Arizona, California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia have laws that prohibit leaving an animal in a confined vehicle.

The next factor important to the question is the condition under which the the animal is left in the vehicle. Most of these laws provide that the animal must be confined or unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle. Further, the laws add that in order for a person to violate the law, the conditions have to endanger the animal’s life. Some of the statutes specifically state that extreme hot or cold temperatures, lack of adequate ventilation, or failing to provide proper food or drink meet this definition. Other laws are more vague and just require that the conditions are such that physical injury or death is likely to result.

In Maine, the law states an animal’s safety, health, or well-being appears to be in immediate danger from heat, cold, or lack of adequate ventilation, and the conditions could reasonably be expected to cause extreme suffering or death. A law enforcement officer, humane agent, or animal control officer may take all steps that are reasonably necessary to remove an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal’s safety, health, or well-being appears to be in immediate danger. The official removing the animal must leave written notice bearing the officer’s or agent’s name and office and the address of the location where the animal may be claimed. There’s only a removal section, and no penalty provision in the law.

Remember, pets count on people to save their lives.


http://www.pawsadoption.org/pet-safety-tips/what-to-do-if-you-find-an-animal-locked-in-a-hot-car


Cross-posted from Pets group for exposure.

[dorkzilla]

1. Break the damned window, I say (and have done)!

If I see a person leave the animal in the car, I will chase them down. If I see a dog in a car, cannot know how long the poor animal has been in there but is panting, I alert store security if I can, then call 911, then wait a few minutes. Then its smash time.

No apologies.

[SamReynolds]

2. And if the windows are open enough that they can stick their head out?

I saw someone freak out because a German Shepherd was 'locked in a car'.... but had her whole head sticking out the window.

Some people just love to find things to get outraged over.

Closed windows? That's a different story.

[DainBramaged]

4. Uh a car in the sun on a hot day in most states (above 80) gets over 130

windows open enough to stick the head out or not. We've measured it at the shelter to show new dog owners what NOT to do when you own a dog.


If you're irresponsible to believe an open window is enough to keep a dog from overheating, you sit in the car for an hour and tell us how you feel..........


And your quote Some people just love to find things to get outraged over. speaks worlds about you. Sam.

[DainBramaged]

6. Anger management, look it up

[SamReynolds]

7. Really? That's all you've got?

That looked 'angry' to you?



I'm glad you enjoyed your minute of self-righteousness. Keep up the good work!

[Orrex]

16. I can't speak for anyone else

But I'm not convinced that you're not dead following your harrowing brush with automotive toastiness.

[Dash87]

8. Humans are much more resistant to heat than dogs are.

Conditions safe for a human might not be safe for a dog.

Edit: Eh, nm. He can't respond anymore.

[DainBramaged]

9. Some folks come here to act out, some folks come to prove to us Liburls' they is smerts

this one is a gem....





He knows nothing about dogs, which is why he reacted as he did.

[Dash87]

11. Nom nom hate mail - it's what's for dinner.

Did you get one too?

[DainBramaged]

12. Nope but that's OK

Some folks take too many trips over Niagara Falls in a barrel than what's good for them....

[Lochloosa]

10. One problem Sam. Dogs don't sweat like you do. They pant.

And it's a very inefficient way to cool down.

There sweat glands are in their feet.

The sweat glands dogs do have aren't enough to cool a dog down when the heat index rises in the summer. Another way dogs cool down is to constrict blood vessels in the face, head and ears. This is an autonomic response from the dog and not something he or she can control. Again, unfortunately, it's not enough to keep a dog cool.

So how do dogs cool down? They pant.

Panting is the primary means a dog has to cool down. When you see a dog with his tongue hanging out, that's his way of saying, "I'm hot!"

Unfortunately for your little woof-woof, panting is a very inefficient way of cooling down. The air travels over the saliva and tongue and works to cool the dog similar to the way an evaporated air conditioner passes are through water-drenched pads.


NEVER Keep Dogs in Enclosed Places During the Summer

NEVER put your dog in an enclosed car, vehicle, camper, trailer, tent, or any other location where the dog cannot move around freely, reach water, etc, or where the temperatures are likely to be higher than the temperatures outside. The inside of cars can quickly reach triple digits of more than 120-150 degrees in the heat of the summer, and your dog doesn't have the natural defenses to protect himself.

A dog left alone in an enclosed space, even with water, for any length of time is likely to have a stroke or die.

[dorkzilla]

13. And don't forget about their fur coat!

I can't believe how callous people can be. Anyone who has ever seen a dog needlessly dying because of this ridiculous attitude is just as willing as me to break a window.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

3. And here's what you say when paging the owner in the store (assuming you know which store they're in

"Attention owner of the silver Accord, license plate #####, you have 30 seconds to return to your car and let your dog out before a concerned pet lover breaks your window and does it for you. 30... 29... 28... 27... "

[dorkzilla]

14. YES!!! n/t

[Daemonaquila]

15. Bad advice.

In the time it takes to

Try to Locate the Pet Parent and
Go to security and ask them to page the person that owns the car.

the animal will often be dead or seriously injured.

If the animal is not already in distress and security is in easy (as in a minute or two) reach, ask security to find the owner. Then call 911 and figure out how to break the window if the owner doesn't show up right away. The moment you see actual distress, don't delay - save the critter.

Yes, some asshat could complain about you breaking their damned window. However, that life is worth the risk. Dying of heat stroke in an oven is a terrible way to go.

[AtomicKitten]

17. I can say unequivocally

I would not hesitate to break a window and take the dog. I would not waste a moment trying to locate the irresponsible owner, and I would gladly face the consequences of my actions.

[DainBramaged]

18. As would most of us. In NJ the prospect of animal cruelty the owner would face

far outweighs the cost of replacing their window, and I too would not hesitate.


Having a small ball peen hammer in my car would suffice in freeing the canine or child, which happens often.

[flvegan]

19. 1. Ascertain current state of danger for the pet; 2. Smash window.

I find that smashing the driver's side front window to be the biggest inconvenience for them.

You'll want to be able to secure them with a leash or something. Having a rescue, I can leave a note telling them how to contact me to get their dog back. They should have cooled down by the time they come for him/her (hence alleviating any revenge on the pet for the broken window, because you know...it's the animal's fault.

[DainBramaged]

20. I always carry a leash/es

and a cat carrier and a water bowl and poop bags and instant ice bags.


We have learned in the past couple of years, the big dogs let you know they are in trouble, it's the little ones who expire quickly. My sweetie and now my beautiful daughter are acutely aware of dogs in cars and seem to have developed radar for them....


Hope you are well and your endeavors are fruitful....

[MineralMan]

21. I have a window breaking tool

In the center console of my car. I will use it immediately for a pet or child in a hot car. Screw the owner.

[alsame]

22. Kick nt

[RockaFowler]

23. We just saw someone get towed this week

They left their dog in the car while they shopped at Publix. One of the workers were collecting carts in the parking lot and saw the dog panting and grasping for air in the hot Florida sun. He immediately called 911. Not only did the police come, but the animal care and control came. They were able to get the dog out of the car and took the dog from the owner. The police also confiscated their car. We later learned that the dog died from the heat. They couldn't save that poor baby.

Please for the love of dog, please leave your pet at home when you go shopping. There is absolutely no need to take your dog or cat with you when you shop. We took our dogs with us once. My husband stayed in the car with the AC running. They were still panting. I don't like to take them with us any longer if we have to stop anywhere. It isn't fair to them and it is cruel punishment.