The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reminding pet owners that it’s against the law to leave animals in their vehicles during the dog days of summer.
Even on days when temperatures outside are in the low 70s and the windows are left slightly open, a vehicle can heat up by an average of 40 degrees within an hour. A healthy dog can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 degrees for a short time before possibly being severely injured or dying.
Those who leave their pets unattended in cars can be charged with misdemeanor animal endangerment and face up to six months in jail. If the animal dies, the owner could be charged with felony animal cruelty and face up to three years in state prison.
“Leave your pet at home on warm days unless you’re positive you’ll be able to take them in with you wherever you’re going,” said Deputy District Attorney Deborah Knaan, Animal Cruelty Case Coordinator. “Even a few minutes in a hot car is too long. The decision to leave your pet in a car could end badly for both you and your pet. In short: Don’t do it.”
Prosecutors recently filed two cases where dogs were left behind in a car.
Last month, 60-year-old Lydia Ann Meyers was charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to an animal. She is accused of leaving two dogs locked inside a car without water for more than 25 minutes in Covina on April 7.
Johnny Shao Tien, 35, pleaded not guilty last week to one misdemeanor count of failure to care for an animal and animal endangerment, an infraction. In May, a dog was found in a vehicle in Rowland Heights. The windows were cracked a couple of inches but authorities estimate it was at least 100 degrees inside the car.
In both cases, the dogs survived. The cases were investigated by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and the Sheriff’s Department.
The District Attorney’s Office offers posters and cards reminding people of the dangers – and illegality – of leaving animals unattended in hot vehicles. View them here and here. For more information, call 213-974-3716.
FAQs about leaving pets in hot vehicles
What are some signs a pet is in distress?
Heavy panting, thick saliva, lethargy, restlessness, excessive thirst, lack of coordination.
If you see a pet in a vehicle what should you do?
If the animal is not in distress, have someone keep watch over it while you try and locate the owner. If that’s not possible, contact local law enforcement. If the pet is in distress, you should immediately call 911.
Is it a crime to leave a pet in a vehicle?
Yes. Leaving an animal unattended can be charged as an infraction or as a misdemeanor. If a pet dies, the owner could be charged with felony animal cruelty, which carries a maximum three-year prison term.
–
renee says
I work at a pet grooming shop and we had this incident happen in the parking lot where I work. We called 911 and were told if we could get the dog out without damage to do so.we were able to push the window down and would the dog out. This all took at least 10-15 minutes who knows how long the dog was there. He was going from the floor in the shade then jumping on the hot seat and barking and crying setting off the alarm. This was a very small black puppy in over 100° weather in a black car facing the sun. Too much longer the dog probably would have died. When one of our lovely antelope valley police officers got there he told us the puppy could have lasted a few more hours and looked fine. The puppy was panting and tired. He gave the dog back and kind of gave them a warning. This is a crime and the police need to know that. This officer did nothing fir this puppy at all.
Lydia Meyers says
I love my dogs and did not want to harm them. I had to bring them with me, sine I was moving and had no where to keep them. Do not judge people you do not know or if you do not know the person and the facts. Please I am very compassionate and would not like to see anyone harmed. I asked the store if I could bring them in and was refused. My animals are my life. To have something happen to them because of me, would kill me. Please do not judge the person I am.
tm86 says
Leave dogs at home..either inside house or shaded area outside with water available…..why even take dogs out anywhere unless they are going with you to destination. ..no point to leave them in car unless air conditioner is running and it’s just a few minutes….people are really stupid I guess…i can’t even sit on my car for more than a few minutes in this heat….my dogs are kept inside when it’s hot and have no shade available outside…at least if shade is available. .it’s a link an open area where fresh air is and not closed up in a car…
Jaredito says
What if the windows are down, dog has water and vehicle in the shade?
Or in bed of pick-up, with water in shade?
Are either of these instances against the law?
Darla says
Why would you take your pet anywhere with you, if you’re not taking them inside with you,especially in the heat. Regardless if there is shade, water or whatever..Your pet is like your child. Would you do this to your child??? I believe anyone that does this SHOULD go to jail
Jaredito says
Darla,
There is no difference between the shade in the backyards of any house here in the AV or the shade anywhere else in this valley (where one might travel with a dog)
Are you suggesting all who leave there dogs home everyday outdoors with water/food shade should be arrested too?
Darla says
No, but if you’re going to take your pets with you, why should the stay in a car that can reach almost twice the heat outside? That’s totally inhuman. At least at home you can have a wadding pool for your outside dogs, if they are not house trained.
Daniel says
Fortunately, you can test your theories. YOU sit in a car in 80 to 114 degrees with the windows cracked just a little. And don’t forget your little dish of water; also, put a jacket on to because animals have fur which is like wearing a jacket. Come back and let us know how long you lasted. Were you hoping a passer by would save you from this hell or were you a happy-go-lucky puppy? The truck scenario might be more acceptable but, how long will the shade last, how hot does the metal get?
Darla says
My point exactly, Put yourself in your pate position and see how you like it.
Irena says
Are you serious? For one thing it is illegal to transport an animal in the open bed of a pick up truck within it being in a kennel, secured to the truck so it doesn’t move around. If you leash a dog in the bed, it can possible choke or hang itself. Just imagine how hot the metal bed of a truck can get. metal conducts heat, it would be like baking your poor dog
Leaving a dog in an unattended vehicle with the windows down is also a bad idea. what if it escapes? Or what if someone walks past and the dog bites? If it is leashed, it could injure itself by trying to get out.