- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Many of us have experienced that sinking feeling when we see a dog locked in a car on a warm day. Every year, there are news reports about animals dying in unattended vehicles across the country. This is an avoidable tragedy.
According to VCA Animal Hospitals, Most common cause of hyperthermia (heatstroke) in dogs is to leave the dog in a car with poor ventilation. Dog has a cold is a medical emergency, so it is essential to recognize the signs and know when to intervene.
We reached out to the experts at the Animal Legal Defense Fund to learn more about how to help. The following is a guest post written by Stephen Wells, executive director for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Check out 4 ways to protect the dog in his hot car this summer.
iStock / RyanJLane
1. Never leave your dog in an unattended vehicle
Dogs are especially susceptible to death from overheating because they have a hard time keeping cool. When we become overheated, our bodies cool themselves through perspiration and evaporation. But Dogs don’t sweat through their skin like humans do.
Follow American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), on a 70 degree day, the temperature in a car can reach 89 degrees within 10 minutes. On hot days, the temperature inside a car can reach 109 degrees in the same amount of time. You think cracking the windows will cool things down? Think. Many studies confirm that cracking the window does not reduce the temperature.
On hot days, the temperature inside a car can quickly reach 140 degrees.
Ten minutes isn’t enough time to pick up a few items at the grocery store or send a package in the mail. Bottom line: Keep your dog safe and leave them at home when you run errands.
2. Know your state law
As of 2022, 31 states, plus the District of Columbia, have laws for handling animals left in vehicles. The laws vary considerably – some only apply to dogs and cats (but not necessarily other animals); others only allow public officials, like police or animal control officers, to break into cars to rescue an animal.
The “Good Samaritan” law allows people to rescue an animal from a vehicle, but only if they follow certain steps first, like contacting 911. Fourteen states have good Samaritan laws: Arizona, California , Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin.
Test Legal Animal Welfare Fund’s US Animal Protection Law State Rating to see if your state has laws that protect animals left in hot cars.
3. Take action if you see a dog left in the car
iStock / Ablozhka
Whether or not your state has a law, if you see an animal in distress, call 911 immediately. Next, take a photo of the vehicle and license plate on your phone. If there are shops nearby, notify the manager or security guard and ask them to page the vehicle’s owner and give them a description of the vehicle and the license plate. Hopefully the car owner will return soon after hearing the announcement. Finally, wait with the dog until the driver returns.
Whether or not your state has a dog in hot car law, if you see an animal in distress, call 911 immediately.
If you live in a state with good Samaritan Laws, you may be able to rescue the dog yourself. Prepared by review your state law to make sure you follow the necessary steps, which usually include:
- Have a reasonable belief that the animal’s life is at risk.
- Contact law enforcement first.
- Do not use more force than necessary.
- Stay with the animal until law enforcement arrives.
No matter where you live, the worst thing you can do is nothing.
4. Educate your community
Advertise the dangers of leaving animals in the car with our flyers and social media graphics! Download and print Animal Legal Defense Fund hot car flyer and hang them in grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and other locations where people can leave dogs in cars. Just ask the business politely if you can hang it on their window or on a community bulletin board.
Also, share flyers with local humanitarian agencies to help them educate the community. Find graphics for Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to educate your friends and family online about the dangers of leaving animals in a vehicle on the Animal Legal Defense Fund website.
The ALDF also has resources if you want to work with your state legislators to help strengthen your state’s animal protection laws. Find them here.
No animal needs to die in a hot car. Together, we can prevent these tragedies from happening.
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