Animal control officers already getting calls for pets left in cars in extremely hot conditions

With heat index temperature over 100 degrees throughout the area, animal control officers are still receiving calls for pets left in hot cars.

The acts by pet owners has already caused understandable frustration from Dartmouth Animal Control.

“Ok it is 12:00 noon and got my first call for dog in car at Walmart?. Not a very happy Animal Control Officer!!!! Please spread the word. I am out on a hunt. I am patrolling parking lots. If you have a dog in the car, I WILL GIVE YOU A TICKET!!! And I don’t care to here the lines “well my windows are open”, “I was only here for 10 minutes”, I love my dog”. I have heard it all. YOU WILL GET A TICKET!!! Leave your furbabies home!! IT IS TOO HOT!!!”

Here is a reminder from an article we have previously posted:

Keep in mind it is illegal in Massachusetts to leave an animal in a car where it could threaten the health of the animal due to extreme heat or cold temperatures.

Some think, however, that it is legal to just break into a vehicle to save the animal. According to the law, that is not totally true.

The animal needs to look in immediate distress. If so, you must then try to find the owner of the vehicle. Then you must call the police to let them know you are about to break into the car to retrieve the animal.

Here is the law as it is stated:

After making reasonable efforts to locate a motor vehicle’s owner, a person other than an animal control officer, law enforcement officer or fire fighter shall not enter a motor vehicle to remove an animal to protect the health and safety of that animal in immediate danger unless the person: (i) notifies law enforcement or calls 911 before entering the vehicle; (ii) determines that the motor vehicle is locked or there is no other reasonable means for exit and uses not more force than reasonably necessary to enter the motor vehicle and remove the animal; (iii) has a good faith and reasonable belief, based upon known circumstances, that entry into the vehicle is reasonably necessary to prevent imminent danger or harm to the animal; and (iv) remains with the animal in a safe location in reasonable proximity to the vehicle until law enforcement or another first responder arrives. (f) A person who removes an animal from a motor vehicle pursuant to subsection (e) shall be immune from criminal or civil liability that might otherwise result from the removal.

Leaving an animal in a hot car is punishable by a fine of not more than $150 for a first offense, by a fine of not more than $300 for a second offense and by a fine of not more than $500 for a third or subsequent offense. According to PETA, on a 78 degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes.