Dogs in hot cars--the laws vary from state to state

Four people left the Kansas City Royals game in the 8^th inning Sunday because of the heat. The game would end in a 2-1 win for the Royals in 13 innings.

As Josh Lee, his wife, son, and brother walked through the parking lot, they heard a dog whimpering.

They followed the sound to a car where a puppy of about 16 weeks was in a hot car with no water.  They called the Kansas City police department who contacted the Royals’ guest services. They were able to lower the window and rescue a most grateful puppy.

The Royals’ protocol is to call the towing service they keep on site during games and to contact animal control. A note is left on the car. The owner has 10 days to collect the dog from the city shelter.

Sadly, there is a protocol for this since, according to the director of guest services for the Royals, about once a month they are called to rescue a dog left in the stadium parking lot during a game.

The pup was removed from the car and is doing fine. A Royals employee took the dog home, but so far the owner has not showed up.

For the Lee family it was probably worth not seeing the end of an exciting game.

 

Last year a Gulf War veteran in Georgia was arrested for breaking a window to rescue a dog. The charges were later dropped, but few people want to be arrested.

Laws vary from state to state. Only 21 states have a specific law against leaving dogs in hot cars, but animal cruelty laws may apply.   A growing number of states have good Samaritan laws that allow a bystander to rescue a dog in distress by whatever means necessary without being arrested or sued.

This link will show what the current laws are in your state.

 

Comments

[Comedy Plus]

What a shame that people are so stupid to do this to their four legged family member. I want to put them in the car so they can't get out and see how they like being forgotten. Horrible.

Have a fabulous day. ☺

[Josh Smith]

I have been hearing more and more major cities and states are implementing laws against the hot car conundrum. Two thumbs up for the law, paw justice! :)

[retro rover]

There is no excuse. I hate seeing dogs hot period. Last Sunday myhusband and I went to an outdoor food festival on a very hot day and left oour dogs home in the AC I was kind of upset to see many dogs in attendance most of them looking uncomfortable

[Foley Monster, Pocket and River Song]

Thank you for the link showing the laws. I did not see Massachusetts listed. I guess I am going to have to do a snatch and grab

[Linda]

I love having my dog with me...but to lock them in a inferno is stupid and senseless. I'm reposting this on my FB page!

Linda

[yellowdoggranny]

Texas has jackshit, not surprising..

[Jackie Bouchard]

I never see dogs in hot cars. Thank heaven! I'm sure it's not that folks are smarter here.... Bt maybe they realize we live in a place that can get pretty darn hot in the summer. When will everyone learn??!!

[Granny Annie]

There shouldn't have to be laws. What has happened to common sense. If adults wouldn't want to sit in a hot car for hours, why do they think their dog (or child) would?

[Jodi Stone]

WHY, WHY must we tell people this? Are they clueless to all the news stories of dogs left in hot cars, of all the dogs that die in hot cars?

I really think some people shouldn't have animals (or children).

[cube]

Some people are too stupid to have pets or children.