Each year, many pets face the risk of harm or even death when left unattended in hot, locked cars—a situation that can be prevented with awareness and timely intervention. Even on moderately warm days, the interior of a car can quickly become dangerously hot, posing significant risks to pets. Recognizing the signs of distress and knowing how to respond can make a crucial difference in saving these vulnerable animals. This blog aims to provide practical guidance on how to handle such emergencies responsibly and legally, ensuring that you can effectively assist in saving a pet’s life when it matters most.
How Quickly a Car Heats Up
The temperature inside a vehicle can rise dramatically and dangerously fast. Within just 10 minutes, it can increase by nearly 20 degrees, and in 20 minutes, it can soar by almost 30 degrees. After one hour, the temperature inside a car can be over 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature, creating a lethal environment for pets. It’s a common misconception that cracking windows helps; in reality, it has no significant effect on reducing the inside temperature. It is crucial never to leave pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short period.
Effects on Pets
Pets locked in hot cars can suffer from heatstroke within minutes, as temperatures inside a vehicle can soar to dangerous levels quickly, even on mild days. Heatstroke symptoms in pets include heavy panting, drooling, rapid heartbeat, lethargy, vomiting and unresponsiveness. If not treated promptly, heatstroke can lead to severe dehydration, organ failure or death. The long-term health consequences of surviving such an ordeal can include permanent damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and brain. It’s crucial to recognize the signs and act swiftly to prevent irreversible harm or fatality.
What to Do When You See A Pet in a Hot Locked Vehicle
This issue of pets being in hot, locked cars is so critical that 31 states have enacted laws to address it, with varying degrees of restriction on leaving pets unattended in vehicles. Some states have outright bans on the practice, while others provide legal protection for law enforcement officers and citizens who break into cars to rescue pets in distress.
When you come across this kind of situation, the best steps to take are generally:
Step One: Assess the Situation
When observing the pet’s condition, look for signs of distress such as excessive panting, drooling and unresponsiveness. Compare the pet’s symptoms to standard signs of heatstroke to assess the severity of the situation. Recognizing these indicators quickly can help you determine the urgency of the pet’s need for intervention.
Take note of the vehicle’s color, make, model and license plate number. This information is crucial for identifying the vehicle and alerting authorities or the owner.
Step Two: Time and Temperature
Take note of the outside temperature, and estimate how hot it might be inside the vehicle. Accurately noting the time and temperature is crucial for assessing the risk to the pet and helps authorities gauge the severity of the situation and respond appropriately.
Step Three: Legal Implications
Generally, in each state specific criteria must be met to receive immunity from civil and criminal liability, preventing the pet owner from suing the rescuer. For instance, in Indiana, you must reasonably believe the dog or cat is in imminent danger of death or serious harm and confirm that the vehicle is locked with no other access available but through forcible entry, while in Kentucky, there is no Good Samaritan law protecting individuals who break a car window to rescue a dog from heat. Instead, it is encouraged to call animal control and allow them to handle the situation.These conditions ensure that rescuers can act decisively to save pets without legal repercussions. Research the regulations in your state to understand what actions you can legally take to assist the pet in distress.
Step Four: Try to Identify the Car Owner First
Use the information you gathered about the car and approach individuals in the parking lot or inside stores. Inquire if it belongs to them or if they know the owner. Inside the store, seek out a manager who can make an announcement over the public address system to locate the vehicle’s owner swiftly. Periodically, return to check on the pet to ensure their condition hasn’t deteriorated while you continue searching for their owner.
Step Five: Calling Authorities
If asking around yields no results, the next step is to call local animal control or the police. Provide detailed information about the vehicle and the pet’s condition. Wait by the vehicle until the authorities arrive to ensure prompt assistance.
Step Six: Breaking the Window
In urgent situations where other interventions are delayed and a pet, especially one trapped in a hot, locked car for an extended period, faces imminent danger, breaking the window may become necessary to save its life.
- Use a car emergency hammer or a center punch, which are designed to break tempered glass quickly and safely. Keep this tool accessible, and familiarize yourself with its use beforehand.
- If you or someone nearby has gloves, wear them to protect your hands. Aim for the side or rear windows, as they are typically made of tempered glass and are easier to break than windshields.
- Guarantee the pet is away from the area you intend to break, minimizing the risk of injury to the pet during and after breaking the window. It may help to ask another person to help distract the pet and keep them on the opposite side of the vehicle.
- Use the hammer or center punch to strike the window with force at the edges or corners. Aim for a solid hit rather than a series of taps. Be prepared for the glass to shatter into small pieces.
- After breaking the window, quickly remove the pet from the vehicle. Call 911 and remain with the pet until law enforcement or emergency responders arrive.
Step Seven: Actions After Rescuing the Pet
Immediately after rescuing a pet from a hot car, it’s important to prevent them from running into traffic or other hazardous areas. Secure them in a safe location nearby. Offer the pet water to drink and make sure they have access to cool, but not cold, air. Moving them to a shaded or air-conditioned area will help regulate their body temperature and provide comfort. Keep them calm and continue to monitor their well-being. These initial actions are essential for stabilizing the pet’s condition after the stressful experience of being trapped in a hot vehicle.
Good Samaritan
The issue of pets left in hot cars demands our attention and immediate action. Remember, if you ever encounter a pet trapped in a hot car, swift assessment and intervention can be crucial. From assessing the situation and gathering information to calling authorities and, if necessary, breaking a window safely, each step plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of our beloved companions.
