Yesterday the Washington Senate unanimously passed a bill (SSB5501) that makes leaving a pet locked in a car under dangerous conditions a civil offense.
Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, the bill’s lead sponsor, said it “prevents some liability issues that might have prevented them from taking immediate action.”
Here are the highlights of the bill:
- People who leave an unattended animal in a car, or other enclosed space, where it might be harmed by heat, cold, or lack of water or fresh air will be subject to a $125 fine.
- People who leave an animal in a dangerous enclosed space could also be charged with animal cruelty, a felony offense, in addition to the fine.
- It authorizes animal control officers and police to break in to rescue confined animals and clears them of liability for incidental property damage.
- It expands the state’s ban on animal fighting from just dogs and roosters to all animals.
- It makes it a crime for an adult to cause a minor to commit animal cruelty or make animals fight.
- It eliminates a loophole where existing Washington laws only punish the theft of animals worth less than $250 or more than $750.
Image from WaldenHumane.org
“We are encouraged by this next and important step for Senate bill SSB 5501 which will strengthen the laws designed to protect companion animals in our community, while giving the prosecutors and animal control officers additional means to address issues of animal cruelty,” said Kay Joubert, director of Companion Animal Services, PAWS in Lynnwood.
The proposal has the support of major animal advocacy groups including PAWS, ASPCA, Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary, Pasado’s Safe Haven, members of the Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies and others.
If you’d like to thank Senator Fain for his support of the bill, leave a message on his Facebook page.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Please contact your Representatives and ask them to support the bill.
If you don’t know your who your Representatives are, call the Legislative Hotline at 1.800.562.6000. They can tell you who they are and will forward a message to them.
If you know your Representative, this page tells you how you can contact them.
I sometimes leave my dog in my minivan in the hot weather but the van is set up with permanent non-spill water bowl, battery & van – powered fans, & often a 6″ vent lock in the back door to allow airflow. If necessary I leave the van running with the AC on & my trip is short. How am I protected from being fined under this new law?
If you just run into the store for a minute it shouldn’t be a problem. It would take awhile for someone to report your dog in the car and for animal control to show up. Personally I wouldn’t leave my dog in a car that is running. Too tempting for a thieves to smash a window and drive off with your car and your dog. Just my opinion, not judging.
I’m not stupid: I keep it locked as well: I have 2 sets of keys.
I never said you didn’t keep it locked. I said someone could smash a window and take off with the car and the dog.
Actually the law says that you can’t keep an animal in a locked vehicle. So…
That is taking it literal but, in that same sentence it says if they are in danger.
*smash a window
You are stupid if you leave your animal in the car period. Can I leave you in the car locked with the engine running and a bowl of water? You can snarl and spit all you want too.
I sit in the car with the engine running and the a.c. on while my wife goes in shopping all the time….never been an issue.
There have been documented cases where there is mechanical failure and the car shuts off…
The above person said “smash your window and drive off” not leaving your car unlocked…
My question is why do this at all??? Keep the safe, if you need to go to the store…leave them home!
A lot of people travel with their pets.
You *are* stupid. The AC could malfunction. An idling car can overheat the engine, causing the AC to stop working. Your dog could accidently hit the controls and shut it off. Your coolant could be low and you might not know it and it could shut off. Your dog could collapse, get brain damage, have heat stroke or die. Dogs can’t cool themselves if the air in the car is hot. This is why it’s illegal to leave young children in the car. If you wouldn’t leave your toddler in the car, alone, on a hot day, why would you leave your dog?
The fact that you’re worried about avoiding a fine and not concerned about the well-being of your pet is mind-boggling.
THANK YOU!!!
If you love your dog and you don’t want to get fined, LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.
PS my dog is a Doberman & protective of her van. You’d have to be pretty stupid to try to break into it while she’s leaping against the windows snarling, spitting & snapping at you.
Well he could also knock your car into drive and kill some one. Your not allowed to leave your car running that is also against the law!!!! Should have learned that when you got your drivers license. Just use common sence that’s it.
No where does it say it’s illegal to keep your car running. I have a remote start system that will keep my car running without keys but turn off if the brakes are hit. Perfectly legal.
RCW 46.61.600 states that:
“(1) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.”
An unattended vehicle that is on violates this law.
Or even worse… while the car is on automatic start the engine shuts off at the max time or the dog goes under the dashboard and hits the brake…
Right!
I would never put my dog in any kind of danger, however harmless it seems to leave her in the car (…while its running, with windows cracked, and vents blowing, blah, blah, blah) even to run a quick errand.
Cars heat up. Air stagnates. Water bowls can be knocked over. Do you think your dog likes being left in those conditions?
I don’t understand how anyone can defend this act, however harmless it might seem. If you can live with yourself should something happen to your dog because of your actions, then you have no conscience. Why would you take any chances with your dog? Don’t you love your pet? I just don’t get it.
Your dogs breed had nothing to do with this. Leave your dog at home or face someone breaking out a very expensive window to save YOUR dog.
Don’t leave the dog in the car, you would not if it was a child? This has to stop some how and it may seem harsh, but reality is it happens more than people know. Being from several different animal rescue for over 30+ years I see what happens. The owners are scared for life because they too were not going to be long. It really only take minutes for a dog to die if left in a hot locked vehicle.
Listen, we travel and we take our dogs everywhere we go if more than a half day trip. You cannot take your dogs into stores, restaurants, gas stations etc. so just what are we suppose to do with them while we attend to necessary things like eating and using the rest room? Are we expected to fore go these things if we choose to keep our dogs with us rather than leaving them home alone or boarding them with strangers to be locked in cages….not going to happen. We are very considerate and careful when leaving them and it is not for long, but they do have to be left at times.
When we take our dogs we take turns going to the bathroom and eat at places with outside patios which usually allow dogs. We just went with our dog to the Methow Valley for 5 days and we had no trouble finding places where he could be with us on the patio when we ate.
Exactly!! Unless you’re in a motorhome with a APU that is exactly what they should do.
That’s what I do! Air conditioners malfunction, water bowls get knocked over. It’s illegal to park your car and leave the engine running. If you want to travel with your pet, research who allows pets on your trip. You may think you’re doing your pet a favor taking them with you, but your being selfish if you keep them locked in the car because you were too lazy to find places that will accept pets
Yes, if you cannot properly care for your dog’s you shouldn’t take them with you.
It’s illegal to leave your dog in the car in the heat and the police can smash the window to get the dog out. This is a good thing! Dogs can die so fast in a heated car.
This is a very hot topic (no pun intended) and people tend to get very defensive if they are the ones leaving their pets in the car. You say things like, it’s not that hot, I’ll only be a few minutes, I can’t take them into restaurants or shopping, I don’t want to leave them at home, etc. The list goes on and on…. For every pet that has died in a car do you think those people said those same things? I’m pretty sure they did. It is NOT ok to leave your pet in the car, period! If you have to bring them, then go through drive-thru restaurants, or find outdoor seating. They do not need to go with you when you go shopping or to a movie. If you are going to be gone all day, then hire a professional pet sitter to come in and care for them. I never bring my dogs in the car with me when I’m running errands, there is no reason to.
Wow. Do you have to forgo eating? No. I would sure hope you would choose a drive through rather than a sit-down meal if your dog’s LIFE is in danger. I challenge anyone to turn off the car, crack the windows and see how long you can sit there before it gets too hot for you on an 80+ degree day. Then imagine putting on a fur coat and sitting there. Dogs don’t sweat like we do; they pant to cool themselves and in a hot car with no air they cannot cool themselves and they do die. I don’ t understand why anyone would even risk it.
I am so tired of stupid people who say it’s never okay to leave a dog in the car. That is total BS from stupid people who don’t know what they are talking about. There are so many variables as to what is safe and not safe that it’s just plain stupid for people to make blanket statements about how dangerous it is. It all depends on how hot it is, color of the car, how much wind is blowing, how far the windows are down, how long they’re in the car, etc..
I have had many dogs over the years and take them with me all time and none of them has ever been harmed. You can point to a few stupid people who killed their dogs but truth is that’s really rare. Most dog owners have enough common sense to know when it’s too hot. It’s all the stupid people who overreact like the ones in these comments that’s making it more dangerous. I always think twice about how far to leave the windows down because I’m worried of you idiots is going to try reaching in and open the door to save an animal that is just fine.
It’s not a few stupid people. The Seattle Animal Shelter had dozens of calls about dogs in hot cars. And people don’t overreact because they’re stupid. They’re just concerned about the dogs.
I’m sorry but your response just doesn’t make sense. The fact is there are around 150,000 dogs in the city. Even with a few dozen calls that’s far less than 1% so relatively speaking that is actually would have been more appropriate for me to say a very, very, very, very few stupid people. I would agree, people are concerned about dogs but that does not mean their concern does not lead them to overreact and act like stupid idiots. It’s my opinion that it’s none of your business, if you’re concerned call the police and leave. To stay around is asking for trouble. I carry a gun for a reason, too many stupid people out there like to cause trouble and get involved in things that are none of their concern.
Agree…our dog loves to be with us as we are always going on walks and hikes. When we stop for toilet or food where he is not welcomed, we leave him in our well ventilated car parked in shade. He has always been fine.
you say we, could on of we go do what has to be done and the other we be in the car.??? as was said , if you return to the car and find your dog dead how would you live with yourself or don’t you care. folks this is just another ME ME ME person.
I recently had a run with someone who was hyper vigilant about dogs in cars. By the end of the conversation I felt like locking her in a hot car. It was 9C (48F) when I ran into a store to pick up some software. I was gone 5 to 10 mins. All four windows were rolled down, my car wasn’t in direct sunlight and I had air conditioner blasting prior to getting to the store specifically to get the car cold for my dog. Not that it was required for the weather but because these nuts who freak out when they see a dog in a car when the sun is out.
MOST dog owners would never put their dog in harms way. I’m not going to take my dog if I’m going on a long shopping trip or out to supper. If I have a quick errand to run in the store, yes, I will take her. I think the media (including social media) attention to this issue has made it appear this happens more than it actually does.
I’m fully in support of fining people who ACTUALLY put their animals in jeopardy but most dogs in cars are not in jeopardy. They are there because they are part of the family and love going on trips with their owners. We leave water and make sure the vehicle is well ventilated even for short trips away from the vehicle. For those who compare it leaving a child in a car, what do you think my reaction is going to be when I made efforts to ensure my dog’s safety and you are accusing me of child abuse? It’s not going to be a great interaction.. You are not educating me, you are just harassing me. Unfortunately I can’t charge you for dog owner harassment.
We’ve made people so sensitive to this issue that common sense has left the building. It is extremely unpopular to defend dog owners who take their animals on trips with them that benefit the animal.
I’m sorry you had a confrontation. I’m not sure if you’re saying the outside temp or the temp inside the car was 48F, but in general, dogs aren’t in danger if the temperature outside is that low.
I do think this happens a lot. During the summer I read a story almost everyday about a dog locked in a hot car and those are only the ones we hear about. I also think it’s important for people to keep an eye out for dogs in cars during hot weather as animal control officers can’t be everywhere. I don’t think they should be rude or confrontational as in your case (although if the dog is truly suffering and in danger of dying I wouldn’t blame them).
I don’t believe anyone is concerned people take their dogs on trips with them but if you have to leave the dog in your car for a long periods of time you might as well leave them home. We just took a trip to our dog in Eastern WA where it is very hot and we took it with us everywhere. We ate at restaurants with outdoor patios and if we needed something in a non dog friendly business one of us would stay with the dog if while the other went inside.
SDogSpot, the problem is look at all the comments here…quite a few people say “it’s never okay to leave a dog in the car.” I see people all the time say that what you do is not okay. I regularly run to the 7-Eleven near my house in the summers to get a Slurpee or Soda. Even on a 80F day with the windows rolled down and a light breeze my dog is fine while I go inside for 5 minutes. I can see my dog, he’s usually sticking sticking his head out the window sniffing at the food people are carrying out and wagging his tale yet I have had people freak out. Seriously, people need to just mind their own business. Most dog owners aren’t stupid. BTW, on days like today it’s over 100F in my house with no AC and my dog does just fine. It never gets even close to that in my car.
I do think some people overreact when they see a dog in a car on a hot day. If the dog isn’t in apparent distress, it would be better to wait a few minutes to see if the owner comes back.
I had a similar experience. It was early evening and lightly raining yet someone accused me of cruelty for having my beloved dog in the car! Where he had a pillow, food and water. If they had allowed the dog in the hotel that is where he would have been. It is crazy to think you can’t leave a dog in a car when you yourself would be perfectly comfortable in the same situation. Too many busy bodies and not enough common sense.
Common sense has been killed by social media.
Any animal in a moving vehicle unrestrained is not only in danger but so is any human being sitting in front of that unrestrained animal. A 10 pound animal involved in a 50 mile per hour accident has a force of 500 pounds. It gets worse as the weight increases. This is one reason and the most important reason that a lot of uber and Lyft drivers who are private contractors and private rides have big problems with people getting in their vehicles with unrestrained animals. If you love your animals so much then by the harnesses so that they can be strapped in or bring the cages so they can be secured.
Thanks for the reminder.
Oh, good gawd. We rode around in pickup beds, growing up. And (gasp) we’re still alive (a miracle). If people would stop being nosy, inconsiderate, idiots, this world could go back to being a fun place to live in.
I think common sense would have been to leave the dog home and open ventilation.
People who leave an unattended animal in a car, or other enclosed space, where it might be harmed by heat, cold, or lack of water or fresh air will be subject to a $125 fine.
Might be harmed don’t mean will also if the windows are down and pet has proper ventilation and water the law is pretty vague I understand the folks who don’t do this should get a citation. Today I had a wacko tell me the same I was in violation well i drive a wagon all four windows were down about 6 inches and my dog had cold water as allway’s when unattended . these same people say you are cruel because you feed the wrong dog food or get your pet vaccinated due to the preservatives.
If indeed you have a locked vehicle running with fans and AC running and water accessible, I would strongly suggest sticking a thermometer or two inside the car visible from the outside to passersby who might play the 911 card, and bust the window while waiting. Not legal (maybe should be), but people can go over the top on occasion. NY state apparently is seriously considering allowing citizens to bust windows….
I think other states are passing laws to allow that too.
I’d bust that window, whether it was legal or not, to save a suffering dog. And i’d confront the owner..Not scurred…
I would and will if an animal or child or even elderly person is in obvious distress. Any sentient being♡
Sit in locked car in same weather,with no idea how long too wait. No phone or thumbs to text your other, how much longer? .Leave the dog home or buy fake guide/service dog vest online from “legitimate ” authority. F your inconvenience.
See… This is bullshit! I HAVE a service animal.. an ESA. And I would NEVER advocate buying a “fake SA vest!” Are you kidding me?! This is where my hackles go up. I confront these fakers in while shopping… I call them OUT on their careless attitude. Would you get in a wheelchair at the airport just to get seated first (head of the line)?! Why would you “fake” needing an ESA? It’s an insult to me, and to my dog…
How about your time spent in Iraq to obtain that ESA?
So you think you’re better than a soldier that fought for you?
F-U.
I’ve had 9 dogs in my life: Bearded Collie, Yorkie, 3) rotties, Tibetian Terrier, an Irish Setter, Husky, and now a border collie x Aussie.
ALL have lived to a ripe old age- with the Rotties passing per the norm- at 8 yrs old… cancer.
My current ESA is 15 yrs old and is still behaving like 3 yrs old! She was out chasing Frisbee yesterday.
NONE of my dogs are mistreated, underfed, or unloved. I take my ESA to work almost every day. I leave her sometimes in the car… ALL DAY (Oh no!) With ALL the windows down, sunroof open, water in the car, and parked in the shade directly in front of my office window. We can see each other. I go on lunchtime walks with her.. and she enjoys a ham sandwich for lunch.
The temp in the car is the same as outside! The next thing you’ll be telling me is… KEEP HER HOME!
Well.. my apartment has 2 windows and no air conditioning and no ventilation.the interior gets 10% HOTTER than the outside.
AND??
Look… I totally agree that there are STUPID people out there that will shop till they drop and find their dog dead. STUPID PEOPLE. But honestly, leave ME the hell alone!
Woot, woot, woot! Bravo!
Absolutely awesome post!
First of all, an ESA is NOT a service dog and does not have public access rights! A service dog is individually trained to do tasks to mitigate a persons disability. If you are legitimately disabled, you can get a real service dog or train one yourself. ESA’s are not trained and only offer comfort, are allowed in public housing and planes, but thats it. NO PUBLIC ACCESS! I know this post is way late but as a disabled person with a real service dog, it pisses me off when people bring untrained pets and ESA’s illegally into public places off limits to pets, they cause problems and make it harder for true service dogs to do their jobs! Leave your pets at home!
I would leave the little guy at home. I am sure he isn’t enjoying his trip.
Leave the animal at home where they have adequate food, cool water and protection from the sun. They are always safer and more comfortable at home.
You’re not. A crime is a crime. Period. I get that you (reportedly) have these “safety features”, however, those things (battery powered fans, A.C, etc) can “Fail”. Your car battery can die. The batteries for the fans can die, etc.. The new law states to leave a pet in a locked vehicle, on w warm day is illegal.
A good step in the right direction. I urge everyone to support this bill. It is time to declare war on animal abuse !!
Yes!
I bring my dog sometimes with us . We always cracked all windows so their is airflow. Would that be sufficient or would I get fined ?
Cracked windows are absolutely insufficient to cool off a car … So yes, you would be fined, and will probably end up getting your car window broken out. I urge you to do a youtube search for the actual demonstration video that illustrates how hot a car gets, and how fast it gets that way. By the way, the car windows are cracked open a few inches in the experiment to show that it really does not help.
PLEASE PUT A THERMOMETER IN YOUR CAR AND CRACK THE WINDOWS AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, IN FACT YOU SIT IN THERE WITH IT AND SEE HOW IT FEELS. THEY HAVE MANY VIDEOS ONLINE TO SHOW YOU IF YOU DON’T WANT TO ACTUALLY DO IT YOURSELF. IT GETS WAY TO HOT WAY TO FAST.
Sit inside the car for a few minutes with the windows cracked. It gets up over 100F in less than 30 minutes. Do you want your dog to die? If so, give it away. If not, just don’t leave it in a car. How hard is it to understand.
FINED?? Is that all you really care about? How do you plan to do away with your pet if it dies in your hot car? By accident of COURSE! Are you going to get him cremated or buried in the backyard? You might wanna take that financial factor into question, never mind the poor pet I
that could get locked in by accident. Things happen. Think, care.
it is about time!
Is that chart what they use to determine what is dangerous? If not, who determines what is dangerous? What if I leave my dog in the car on an 70 degree day for up to 20 minutes with the windows cracked, but someone assumes is dangerous? I would hate to get fined and have to pay for a window to be replaced if it never got above 80 in my car.
You aren’t you dont need to take your animal if you will be leaving them in the vehicle at all inwarm weather! Would you leave an infant?Would you be ok will putting on a sweat shirt and pants, and being left in the conditions you discribed? There is no reason for leaving them in a car!!
Just don’t leave you dog in a car. It really is simple.
This is a good start now just make it apply to children, disabled and the infirm also.
If I saw a dog locked in the car on a sunny 70 degree day I’d probably call, and I would definitely call if the dog was panting (I know they can pant with stress, but that is actually exacerbating the situation). I guarantee your car is warmer than 80 degrees after 20 minutes, especially if the color is dark, and probably after 10 minutes. Windows cracked does not give enough air flow.
I challenge you to put a coat on, crack the windows, and sit in your car for 15 minutes on a sunny 70 degree day and see how you feel.
Thank you WA State Senate for taking this step!
Makes me nervous that some crazies will report ANY dog locked in a car on a hot day. My van is well equipped for hot weather. I compete in dog sports at which we may keep our dogs kennelled in our cars no matter what the weather. We have all kinds of equipment to keep them from overheating in the hot weather. This law has good intentions but i fear for those of us who are keeping our dogs safe but whose methods may be unrecognized & misinterpreted by unknowledgable but well intentioned people as “unsafe”.
That could still happen without this law. The main difference is the fine and protecting AC/police from liability if they do break in to save the dog. People can still report it. If you haven’t had a problem with this already the new law shouldn’t change anything.
So now people that call on animals locked in hot cars are crazies? Let’s just hope that your fail safes don’t have mechanical failure and your dogs end up in an overheated vehicle, unintentionally.
Keep in mind Vicki – you are the MINORITY! Many people don’t take the measures you do, and it will be obvious that your dogs aren’t in distress. Besides, if they are kenneled, likely people won’t even know there is a dog in the car.
I’m with you Vicki. I’m contemplating putting a large sign in my car window explaining all the ways my dogs are being kept cool.
I think what many of you don’t understand is that we’re not running to the store on an 80 degree day & “cracking the Windows”. Dog sports people have special set ups to keep our dogs cool in the car. We’re afraid of that one uneducated person that happens by the park where we’re trialing and calls the police because they perceive a danger that isn’t there.
It should make you nervous. If you’re nervous that’s your brain saying hey there’s something going on here I better not do this. Am I right? Just don’t leave your pets in a hot car. Would you leave your child or an old person in the hot car? Don’t take that chance, simple! Isn’t your pet worth it? If I knew where you would be on any given day, any given HOT day I would wait for you to do that, leave your animal in the car so I could break your window just to teach you a lesson even if I had to go to jail because people need to be more aware. It happens all the time, all the time. It. Happens. All. The. Time. Pull your head out of your sports butt and think. You keep making all sorts of excuses for why you leave your animal in the car and that you’re worried about crazies, like me, interfering with what you feel it’s OK. It’s not OK, quit making excuses and just stop doing it. It’s disgusting and disturbing.
One more thing. This law wasn’t proposed to attack you; it was to protect the other dogs that die every year, and as a dog person I would hope you could appreciate that.
Sounds like Big Brother to me. Just an open door for the crazies to go wild ‘policing’ parking lots, etc. I leave my dog in the car with the windows cracked/down and just run in/out of the store within 10 minutes. I’ve literally had crazies stalking my vehicle when they don’t have a clue about me, my dog, or situation. Sounds like just a way to punish law abiding citizens who DO treat their dogs with excellent care and to turn it around and make them look like ‘criminals’. I don’t like it. I think true idiots or animal abusers will leave their pets in excessively hot cars regardless of the law and this will just be going after good people who make their own sound decisions for their pets. I think everybody should mind their own business. Just my two cents.
It doesn’t give people the right to smash anyone’s windows. It just gives animal control officers the ability to do it without being held liable, just like police. And when people see a dog locked in a hot car they have no idea where the owner is or how long he/she will be gone. Many people will wait until the owner gets back to ensure the dog is ok or call animal control if the dog is in distress. I don’t have a problem with that.
I also compete in dog sports and crate my dogs in the car. Between shade cloth, fans, water, cooling beds, and cooling coats, I can keep my dogs cooler in the car than outside. How do I protect myself, and my dogs (who would be traumatized if strangers broke into my car) from well meaning, but ignorant people who think they are helping but who are not? Well meaning law but they’re needs to be an exemption for those of us who actually know how to keep things cool.
*there
It doesn’t allow stranger’s to break into your car. It allows animal control officers to break in without being held liable. If people aren’t breaking into your car now they won’t if this law passes.
While I was on vacation with my mom and dad, sometimes they went places where dogs weren’t allowed to go. One place, the Visitors Center at Johnston’s Ridge at Mount St. Helens, wouldn’t even allow me to walk on the sidewalk. My mom and dad decided to leave me in the truck for a few minutes so that my dad could take some photos of the volcano. I hate being left alone, and immediately started barking, whining and jumping around inside the truck. I went crazy! They have always taken care of me and come back but I just couldn’t help it. My vet says I have separation anxiety. One vet even said I had the worst case he has seen in 50 years of practice. He gave my mom and dad some tranquilizers to help me calm down. I will have my dad post a video to youtube to show how I behave when I get nervous.
Some people from Baltimore saw me misbehaving and broke out the back window my dad’s truck to help me. The shattered glass went all over me. I had pieces of glass dropping out of my fur for days after. I’m glad none of it got into my eyes. They shouldn’t have broken the window. They didn’t know that I was stressed from being left alone, not from being in a hot car. It was 72 degrees and overcast. My mom and dad would never do that to me. My mom and dad were paged, and when they got back to the truck and saw the broken window, my dad was angry; of course by then the people who broke the window left. My dad called them cowards. I think he was right. They should have had my mom and dad paged to the parking lot, and left it at that. No broken window, a much happier dog, and we could have all enjoyed the rest of our vacation.
I wish people would think before they do stupid things. Things are not always what they appear to be. Dogs would never behave that way.
People!
Sorry you had to go through that. I agree that they should have had you pages. Breaking a car window should only be done as a last resort.
I go to Home Depot every weekend in the summer, usually multiple times, and on nearly every trip I see dogs locked in vehicles when it really is too hot for them. I always go to the customer service counter and report it and they try to page the owner but the employee says no one ever responds. I will usually wait 10 minutes and if the owner doesn’t come back I call the police. Yes, there are days when it is cool enough to leave your dog in the car, but I think a lot of people don’t realize how fast it heats up in there and are putting their dog in danger unnecessarily because they don’t know where to draw the line. HD doesn’t seem to care if you bring your dog inside, even non-service animals. So why even leave them when you can take them inside?
Totally agree with you. These type of people who take upon themselves to get in others business like they are perfect. Now that I feel too paranoid to take my dog anywhere he will be so sad to stay home and not with us when we have to go somewhere but have to leave him in the car and not be with him .
“crazies”? That’s truly a sad label to those whose only concern is the safety of YOUR pet! When someone sees a pet left in a car with “cracked” windows, which is not enough to ventilate the inside of the vehicle on a summers day, that person has no idea how long the dog has been in the car or how long until the owner returns. Us “crazies” will wait to ensure the safety of your pet. I’ve sat in my car with all four of my windows 2 inches down while waiting on a pet owner to return to their car. I have not idea how long the dog had already been in the car. After 20 minutes, the pets owner returned, I was drenched in sweat, the temp outside was around 70 and I don’t sweat easily. The owner said she was gone for only 5 minutes (thank God I had set my watch timer). Sometimes I think a pet owner has to come out to a dead dog in their car to fully understand the dangers of leaving their pets in the car on a warm day, maybe then they’ll appreciate what us “crazies” are trying to do.
There is always a exception to a rule. If you look hard enough you can find fault in anything. Too many people get to caught up into this becuase they have to much time on there hands.
Your intentions are honorable, the only fear in place is if there is a mechanical breakdown of the vehicle and all those devices stop working. I read an article not too long ago of a police officer who left his K9 in his car, as policy the car remained running with air conditioning, however, the car had a mechanical failure and shut itself off. Sadly the office returned to find his K9 deceased in the back seat of his car. 10 minutes tops when it comes to leaving your pets in a car, doesn’t mean you have to remove them after 10 minutes in your situation, but better to err on the side of caution and check to make sure the cooling units are working every 10 minutes than to return to a car full of deceased beloved pets.
Two more police dogs died this week from being left in hot cars.
It says under dangerous conditions.
I cannot believe the amount of whining going on here making it about yourself!
I take my pups out in the car too and one of mine is in conformation and the other is training for drafting and they are in the car a lot and we make sure at least one human stays with them if either of us have to run out for something and we can’t have the another person there then I leave the boys home or at the hotel in a air-conditioned room.
Its not complicated people and this is not about you, its to protect the numerous dogs who are in majority subject this treatment. If you really cared about dogs, you’d find a way to make this work for you and be supportive of this law to protect all dogs.
If I find a dog in a car on a hot day panting and in clear discomfort, I stay right there give the owner max of 10 minutes and go into the store for them to make an announcement for the owner and no one shows up in the next 10 mins, I call the cops. If you don’t want a “crazy” like me calling the cops, then don’t leave your dogs in the heat…pure and simple!
Great points. 10 mins is reasonable. No dog should be left in a car for longer than that in hot weather.
I did a test run once, set my timer, parked in the shade with windows “cracked”, ran inside the store to get one item, then remembered I needed several other items, but didn’t get them because I knew my pet depended on me for his safety. By the time I grabbed that one item, waited through the line, paid my bill and got back to my car, it was 10 minutes straight up, and that was just for one item that I knew what shelf it was on in the store. Like I’ve said a million times, 10 minutes quickly turns into 30 to 60 minutes before you even realize it. Always set your watch timer before leaving your pet in the car, park in the shade and leave all of your windows down, not “cracked” but DOWN and still take no longer than 10 minutes.
While I think this definitely has merits, I would like to know if there is a temperature limit (high and low) that this comes into effect? Or are they saying you can not leave your dog in the car ANYTIME. I would be insanely miffed if I took my dog to the store for a quick trip and it was 50º outside and I had the windows vented and his crate fan on and I ended up getting fined! I do realize that many people don’t use their heads and will leave their dogs int he car to die, but I also think there needs to be some sanity in the law- again a minimum and maximum heat that would be fineable. Maybe it’s already written into the law, just not published here?
I have autostart for my car. I leave my car running with the AC on (or heat during the winter). Even if someone broke the windows, they couldn’t steal the car, and trust me my dog wouldn’t let them steal him either. 😉
I compete in several dog sports and am a professional trainer and instructor. We preach safety to all of our students. My dog is crated in the car, he has a thermometer that is stuck to the front of his crate so I can tell what the temp is at a glance. He also has a crate fan for extra air circulation. He is well hydrated, and checked on regularly and would never, EVER be put in danger.
I came out of a Fred Meyer on a chilly windy 62 degree day. it was sunny but needed a sweatshirt. Was in the store for 15 min. – my dog was panting cuz we went to the park before. Windows up so all in all it may have looked negligent. Car was not at all hot when I returned (maybe 70 degrees). I always leave windows open for him unless it’s really cold & rainy. This time I didn’t cuz it was such a short stop. Did I screw up? Store manager was out in the lot & scolded me!! 62 degrees & windy cold……….come on! Was she overreacting? I say wait till it gets in the mid 70’s before becoming a vigilante.
There is no real answer as to the exact temperature that would be safe. It also depends on lots of factors – clouds, wind, shade, etc. I’ve heard people say that one the temperature gets up in the 60s it can potentially start to get dangerous for dogs. Regardless, I’d rather bystanders err on the side of safety instead of assuming the dog is ok.
I agree with SDogSpotAuthor, if anything, at least leave the windows down for some type of ventilation.
Come on people !!!. This law wouldn’t be needed if dogs weren’t dying because of owner negligence. These what ifs your proposing are off point. Your dog may be your property but if you think you can do whatever you want ( your responsible for poor judgement )to a defensible animal than you should not be allowed to have any
pets.
I personally don’t think you should ever leave a dog unattended in a vehicle just like you wouldn’t leave your child…………………………..or would you? Your why the law was written, congratulations! I do like the comment about wearing a coat and sitting in the car with your pet to determine how comfortable you’ve made it for them.
You can’t take pets into most stores like a human child. I have tied my dog to to a nearby tree surg water dish while on vacation and inside restaurant to eat instead of leaving in car.
I don’t know if you live in Seattle or not but lots of stores here allow dogs, including upscale stores like Nordstrom. I’d be careful about tying your dog up outside – dog thiefs can snatch them.
How about:
1. unlocked car/minvan doors
2. all van windows 1/3-1/2 open
do we still get busted?
PS: how about Costco, Home Depot, Walmart….will they hire roving parking lot animal abuse reporters/PA announce license numbers to patrons. Hmm….
If the door is unlocked I doubt anyone will break the windows, but leaving your dog in an unlocked car isn’t a good idea since so many are stolen. It doesn’t matter how much the windows are open. It’s all about whether or not the dog is in distress. If it’s really hot and the car is in the sun, cracking the windows isn’t going to keep you dog cool. No one is going to hire people to check parking lots. It’s up to the customers, and many stores WILL announce licenses numbers of the cars with dogs in them if a customer tells them about it. Of course, all this would be irrelevant if people don’t take their dogs in the car when it’s hot.
Thanks for your thoughts. I guess windows really don’t matter. My take (re people/dogs/cars involved) it depends on what passes for:
hot,
not-so-hot,
warm,
cool.
And what passes for dog stress.
That’s true. I’d say ff you think the dog is in distress at all err on the side of caution and report it.
I guess on a warm sunny day of around 65-80, get in your car with coat on. open your windows about 2inches front and back. Oh, and park in the sun, as most parking lots have no shade. Wait 10-15 minutes, and see how you are feeling. if you get remotely warm, imagine how it effects you dog.
It is about time we stand up for these indefensible animals, they depend on us for their safety and well being!
AMEN!
Going for a ride is one of my dogs favorite activities that and our Dailey walk. My dog is never in danger because I have half a brain and love and care about him. It would be hilarious if he could talk and one of these “important” captain save a days told him he couldn’t go for a ride anymore, I would love to hear what he would tell them. #bothertherightpeople..DB’s
I am not one of your ‘crazies’ I am an animal advocate who wonders what part of ‘do not leave your dog in a hot car ‘people do not understand. Think, people..dogs cannot simply open the door or window if it gets too hot…they are trapped..they have coats on. They spill water dishes and they cant yell for help…you would not leave a child in a car with all these ‘safety’ precautions, cause if anything happened to your child..you would end up in the clink..what makes your fur friend any different..I have and will again call police if I see a dog in a car. congrats WA for passing this law..
Here’s a good idea an answer to all the problems and questions! If you going somewhere in your car thats not involving your pet ( e.g. Vet, groomers etc. ) DON’T take your pet , then there’s no problem. Leave them at home!
Does this law apply to animals that are kept in garages during hot weather?
No, just cars but if you know of a dog in a garage that’s too hot you can call animal control.
I live on private property and pay slot fee. Problem I have is, I was approached last Sunday by two people who are not tenants or members that camp at this “park”. That they were catching the pets and animals they felt that there should not be any pets in this park by the campers/members. They felt that my camper van should not have any pets in it. They have been capturing the pets of the campers and taking them. My campervan has fans in it and was designed for families to camp in.
The two people warned me that they are giving me one week to get ride of the kittens and cat or they are taking them and towing my camper van. They also did not want to see my bike out side either. I feel they should not be taking any one pets. The pets are: licensed, up on there shots including Rabbies and loved by there owners. Do I have to prove that my camper van with its fans can get to a certain temperature? What laws can I use to keep both my animals and my vehicle while I am camping with my pets? Can I call the local police department and have these two people taken off property and not permitted to come back? I really do not wish to have my pets and vehicle removed or my windows broken because two people do not understand that a camper van was designed for families to camp in. I do not want to loose my pets.
Pets are considered property in Washington so if someone is taking pets they can be arrested and prosecuted for stealing. Contact local police and report them.
This is good law and information. I wish law enforcement in Sequim knew the law before I was grilled by the volunteer cops at Costco. My boy was in an unlocked vehicle with all 4 windows down parked a disabled space, right next to the carts in the shade on a 75* afternoon with a Rubbermaid bowl of ice water. I guess some concerned citizen who refers to their pets as “Fur Babies” called it in. I’m going to print a copy of this law and leave on my dashboard for all to see.
I witnessed a poor ,sweet dog locked in a warm car the other day …I did call the police and did confront the owner who was a complete nasty, uncaring person..he said to me “That dog can handle 100 degrees or more” Really?? I’d like to lock that bastard in a hot car and see how he likes it!! THESE LAWS NEED TO BE IN PLACE FOR EVERY STATE!! There are far to many stupid, non-caring idiots out their!!! We need to be the voice for our fur babies!!!
Absolutely.
Has it become law?
It becomes law in about a month – July 24th.
Gotta play Devil’s advocate.. Where do dogs come from? I believe African hunting dogs run around in 100+ temps all day. Yes, there are times when it’s obvious that a dog is going to die baking in a black car on a crazy hot day with the windows rolled up, but there is also a point where everyone needs to stay out of everyone else’s arse.. There are too many humans let alone their pets..
Not sure if you’re being serious or not. Most animals hunt in early morning or evening to avoid the heat of the day (so do their prey). And animals in the wild have access to shade and water. If someone is dumb enough to lock a dog in a hot car he/she needs someone in his/her arse.
Don’t whine about a law that saves the lives you claim to love and don’t be too selfish/lazy to make an extra trip home or leave your dog at home to begin with.
I’m know there’s plenty of whack jobs out there that figire it’s open season to smash windows and BE THE HERO. They will overlook that it is the Police and animal controls job to break the windows after evaluating the situation. So call 911 and wait!
That’s it make more and more laws!! Pretty soon we can’t leave our own homes without breaking the freakin law!!! I understand the animal in the car. I feel it should be after evaluating the situation. So call 911 and wait!
That’s what the law says. It just prevents animal control officers from being held liable if they break a car window to save a dog.
I left my dog in my car at 8:45 at night in an indoor covered parking lot with the windows cracked for 15 minutes after the air condition was on. It was about 15 degrees cooler in my car when I returned than my own apartment was.
I had a lady call the police and tell the QFC that I was inside shopping at while she waited for me at my car to scream horrible things at me. I opened the car door and the temperature inside was much cooler than the ambient temperature outside (which was 78). People are absolutely insane and are over hyped by this new law, this lady screamed at me calling me an animal abuser, does that mean it’s abusive to take a dog to a park in hot weather? Or have them in my apartment during the summer? How am I protected from receiving a felony offense for no reason other than people are ignorant?
If your dog wasn’t in heat distress I doubt you would be charged. Sorry that the woman was overzealous.
According to US Legal code that “overzealous” harrasser, provided they verbally assault you in close proximity could be fined under simple assault. a misdemeanor, but it does carry a fine. You’d be completely in your rights to file a police report of your own.
I should clarify that Verbal Abuse in Washington is not typically tried as Assault 4, but is usually prosecuted as misdemeanor harassment or disorderly conduct.
Why on earth would anyone ever leave their dog alone in a car? My dog is priceless to me. Would you leave a baby alone in a car, or a diamond ring? ANYTHING could happen while you were gone. Even competition dogs should have someone with them!
Just don’t leave them alone. How hard is that to understand?
I agree with the new law, I think it is important to protect our law enforcement officers if they are doing something beneficial to the animal. I can however, understand where Vicki is coming from, my family was in town visiting one day and my aunt had to leave her dog in the truck (with air conditioning) because her (super sweet) pitbull was not allowed on the property of my apartment complex. one of the leasing agents heard a dog barking from a vehicle and called the humane society. so I can understand the frustration from both sides, not only was the dog completely fine, my aunt (who is a bit hairbrained and a worry wort) was out checking on her every ten minutes or so.
There are many books available for traveling with your pets. They list places that welcome the pets where you can eat, stay, have a brew, etc. with your pets. They are often available 2nd-hand for 25 cents to $2.00. Small price to pay to be able to eat and have your pet with you. Plus there are plenty of drive-thru places to grab something and then have a picnic with your pet at a park that allows pets. Or pack food, drinks and munchies for both you and your pet before leaving your home or lodging and then picnic!
Thanks for the info!
I occasionally leave my pup in a covered open air ventilated parking garage with the windows cracked. The car is in complete shade and gets a good breeze. Similar to what was mentioned this situation is as cool or cooler than a non air conditioned home. She has water and toys. The situation is basically the same as crating her except I am able to let her out more often for walks.
As a precaution I leave on note on the dash that she has fresh air, water and my phone number if people are seriously worried. I feel this is a better situation for her and am comfortable with this decision. Hopefully others will respect this. The issue is not as simple as “never leave your dog in a car” for me.
I’m happy this law passed.
We always take our dachshund with us, because he has separation anxiety issues.
If it’s above 65, we don’t take him, unless we’re not leaving the car. In those cases, we try not to stay gone too long. When it’s 40-65, we’ll take him and leave him in the car for up to an hour MAX. If it’s under 50, he has to wear his coat. He never goes more than 30 minutes without water and never more than an hour without going potty. Again, an hour being the upper limit.
He is our child and as with a human child, we’ve chosen to make him part of our family, so we’ll bend our lifestyle to suit us ALL, not just my gf and I. We’ll sometimes even just grab something to go, for dinner, because we aren’t going to leave him in the car, under certain conditions.
I came across this while researching possible move. I think it is a good law and know arguing won’t change anyone’s mind. I love my dogs but don’t see the point of dragging them along just to be stuck in a car. I also go crazy about dogs in home depot type stores, where they can inhale/ingest the toxic minutia that ends up on floor. As far as car temp, just because a dog tolerated before doesn’t mean they won’t heat stroke another time. I saw a guy walking his dog home from the park one day and dog was panting. Being one of those nosey crazies I asked if ok and if they needed a ride. He thought they were ok but by the time I got out to give him a water bottle I could see the dog going into respiratory distress. Luckily had enough water and towels to cook him as we raced to ER and dog was saved. This poor guy felt awful. Temp was no diff than other days, but just like humans, dogs tolerance goes up and down. And this had nothing to do with the increased risk of being enclosed in a,metal box.
For years I have been leaving my large dog in the car in warm weather under the following conditions and the dog and I are quite happy: Open all windows about half way, open sun roof all the way, lock doors. Nobody apparently has wanted to reach into the car with the big dog in it. The car stays comfortable. How do I know the car stays comfortable? I have figured out a very sophisticated test that does not involve a thermometer. I actually sit in the same car under the same conditions to experience said comfort. Only minor down side is that on rare occasion some holier-than-thou dumb bell still wants to get in my face.
I sleep in my car. I haven’t had any problems, I find shade and keep my windows open if needed.
I think, if the weather isn’t too warm, you park in the shade and the leave the windows cracked, your dog is going to be ok. One day, it might have been maybe 70 or 75 degrees and when we left out dog in the car that was totally parked in the shade. The temp in the car was perfect. we went into a fast food restaurant and was gone maybe five minutes inside when this really old and nosy lady came in, ranting and raving that she was going to call the cops on whoever left that poor dog in the car. I of course went right out to the car to check on my dog. The car wasn’t even hot. It was quite comfortable. The lady exclaimed that my dog was having a difficult time breathing. Perhaps if she would have asked me why my dog was struggling slightly, I could have explained to her that we had just came from a dog park and our dog did a lot of running and that is why she was struggling to get her breath. I swear you crazy nuts, get all of the info from people before you start being such asses and interfering without knowing the whole damn story!
I too have had an experience with someone “saving” my dog from my leaving him in the car. I am a life-long dog lover and have cared for 9 thriving dogs of all sizes and temperaments over the years. My current dog loves the car (he must think of it as his den, or perhaps he likes being part of the action) and hates being left home, crated or not. The law is clear enough that leaving your dog alone in a car is a crime only “under dangerous conditions”. Though a bit vague, this presumably means extreme distress-inducing or life-threatening heat or cold. One hopes that these finer points will become clear with time and experience. The inflammatory heat-in-car table at the top of this page is dreadfully irresponsible – presumably it is intended to raise awareness (though it is hard to imagine someone over the age of 4 being unaware that it gets very hot in a closed car in the sun!), but the numbers are completely meaningless. Is this in the shade, full sun, part sun, Arizona summer sun, or Seattle winter sun? Are the windows closed, cracked, or wide open? Is there a window fan or not? For those who don’t have dogs, when a dog pants lightly it is the equivalent of our sweating lightly – that slightly damp glowing sweat, not the full blown dripping sweat. This is normal and indicates a slight adjustment to less than perfect temperatures, *not* significant distress. It is much like a dog curling up when asleep to keep their less insulated underside unexposed.
“The inflammatory heat-in-car table at the top of this page is dreadfully irresponsible – presumably it is intended to raise awareness (though it is hard to imagine someone over the age of 4 being unaware that it gets very hot in a closed car in the sun!)”
If all drivers were aware that their dogs can die in closed cars on hot days then we wouldn’t read dozens of stories about dogs (including police dogs) dying in hot cars every summer.
How about just adding a caption describing the table conditions, or better yet include a fuller description of the important factors? This might do more to raise awareness than the table as it stands now.
I”M a little late responding. this bill was passed over a year ago. my concern is the time it takes law enforcement or animal control to get there to even get the animal out. If you look at the times on the chart above…you’re going to see…that those times…..are not realistic when your talking life and death. cops and animal control normally will NOT get there within those times. This bill was poorly written, I really can ‘t believe anyone even wrote it. It does little to protect animals. This needs to be changed.
The bill isn’t perfect but it did add some protections for dogs. I haven’t seen examples of a dog dying because AC didn’t arrive in time but if you know of any please let me know.
Thermometer is a good idea. Good to test it yourself first so you know just how awfully hot it gets and how fast, it is scary! And, there are actually stupid people who have left a sleeping child in a car – guess what happened.
This law may be well intentioned, but the implementation is poorly done. It allows the uninformed to enforce their arbitrary personal opinions on others. Once animal control is called, the responding officer then has an interest in taking the dog whether or not the dog is in any danger just because, “Someone complained.” Even if they do not get a direct monetary reward for doing so, they get the result of officious paperwork being filed and the fees charged being added to their record.
We were up from Texas visiting. Both us and the dog are conditioned to much warmer weather. Since my wife is handicapped, we often just sit in the truck for hours on end enjoying the views. At 75 degrees, I’m still wearing a light jacket. At 3:50 pm, we got tickets to a 5:10 movie and sat in the truck until near start. The sunroof was wide open. The sliding back window of the truck was open and all four windows were cracked open. I was comfortable sitting this way with my jacket on for over an hour in the sun of the front seat. The dog was comfortable laying on her $150 K9 Ballistics bed in the shade of the back seat. But, not half an hour after the movie starts, my dog is removed from the truck. (I saw the UConnect email later indicating the time of break in.) For those of us who do try to take care of our pets, this results in legalized extortion based solely on the opinion of someone else. No proof of danger is required; just opinion. I was born here and still love the area, but think it is a bad idea to give members of the general public this much control over the lives and pets of others. Even the officer responding should be required to document proof of harm/risk. Apparently, that’s not required either, just opinion and a desire to add to the fees.
I’ve reviewed over 300 reports of dogs in hot cars last summer from the Seattle Animal Shelter and they only confiscated dogs in a couple of instances. Did this happen in Seattle?
I completely agree dogs should not be left in a car under unsafe heat conditions, but there are “crazies” all around. I have worked professionally with pets for over 8 years and just yesterday a “Good Samaritan” approached me about leaving my dog in the car on a hot day. I took my dog to the car and realized I forgot my wallet. In the 45 seconds I took to run back inside, she somehow saw my dog in the car and reached the conclusion that he was near death because she was looking for something to break out my window when I walked back out. She berated me with her “knowledge” of animal cruelty for about 5 minutes, until I eventually told her to mind her own business. All in favor of protecting animal rights here, but some people need to calm down immediately.
You can legally leave your car on private property. like home depot or lowes with the a/c on and doors locked. Not on public street!
I found this blog today after being overtaken by about 6-8 people in a parking lot
who joined together in harmony to ” save my doggy”
It is warm here (Sacramento , Ca), honestly the outside temp is 89 degrees today.
This is my third dog and have never felt like more of an abuser than when I leave
them home alone. So I end up taking them everywhere. Obviously if it’s going to
be a long trip and want to take my time I will leave (her) at home.
Oh this day I had to run quickly to Home Dept (took her inside, they are fine with that), then needed to grab lunch to take home. I stopped at Whole Foods Market
( home of a seeming majority of what I call ” Regulators ” )( REI is another bad one)
for literally 5min to grab a salad from their salad bar.
I don’t eat fast food from a drive through, heart attacks are bad for you and make it difficult to enjoy your doggies…..
I will never go anywhere and leave the dog for more than 10min tops. I feel very
uptight about her when I run in , so I never take my time or ad items…
Process is as follows , crank the AC to full power with the windows rolled up for at least 3 mins ( gets so cold I can’t stand it) , stop the car , jump out and back in with in
5-7 min typical. I also have a white truck, dark cars are very different and probably
not as good for anything like this.
I love to take her everywhere and I’m certain she prefers that to staying home, but
it’s fair for some to disagree.
My new concern (as of this law) is leaving the windows down…. She will bark and bring
more attention to the situation. She would lick anyone to death so anybody could just reach in and open the door , removing by doggy.
Now what ? Obviously if I leave her home , problem solved….
I’m not going to bring my gun , hang a thermometer , run my stopwatch.. I have nothing to prove and don’t want to waist time arguing ..
The stopwatch is a good measure though to make sure the quick trip is in fact
5-7 min.
This is the third time this has happened and she is only 7 months old.
People are going crazy ballistic over this and can’t wait to do something about it.
The way I am approached is so aggressive that I can’t help , but be defensive.
A woman yelled at me from across the parking lot ” It is Illegal ! ”
I said ,” Thank you, thank you I appreciate it ! ” after which some tall skinny
white boy puffed up and started walking toward me .. ( I am a typical sized
white boy)….
I have never had this problem before…
So… the law is fare given the multitude of retards in the world…
See an animal in a car and you want to do something about it?
Wait 10min, then go in and tell someone or call authorities, but beware
our freedom of speech and action goes both ways so you are likely
to be threatening someone.
Mind your own business comes to mind , but if someone did this to me in
a polite manner I would be impressed by their concerns. I don’t mind that.
I am not a criminal , you have a lot to prove still….. .. ; )
FYI
Last year my company was the head sponsor for the local SPCA golf tournament.
It was $10,000 … I love animals…
I think this is happening more because social media has done a good job of raising awareness about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars. I do agree that unless the dog is in obvious distress people should wait a few minutes to see if the dog’s owner arrives. I understand your preference is to take your dog with you everywhere but leaving her at home would obviously solve the problem.
And I don’t appreciate describing these people as “retards”. While I don’t think people should be rude to you, they don’t know what your “process” is – they just see a dog in a car on a hot day, and they don’t want to see it suffer/die.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO JUSTIFY WHY IT IS OK TO LEAVE YOUR DOG IN AN UNATTENDED CAR…IT IS BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU WHY WE NEED LAWS!!!
JUST RULE OF THUMB…IF YOU WOULDN’T DO IT TO YOUR CHILD, DON’T DO IT TO YOUR DOG…PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dogs are ok in cool temps in cars you can crack your sunroof and keep all doors locked n windows so no one can steal your dog! Labs are from the north Canada of origin they can survive at 0 degrees or below. Prefer cracking the sunroof as no one can push windows down to get in to your car to take your dog or smash windows sunroofs are important if you gotta dog, they come n handy.
Hot days you can’t leave your dog alone in a car thats a no no but you can leave the car running with the ac on thats an option if you have a newer car and have no worries over mechanical failure and ac is charged properly, a gallon of fuel $3 tops wasted is better than leaving your dog in distress besides no one is going to bother your car if its running or your dog because they know you will be right back or shortly, you leave the parking break on, leave your radio on for the dog to listen to music, water in console no worries. Someone might steal your car n dog if you leave your car running highly unlikely with doors locked with two sets of keys no one is going to break into a car with a dog there to steal it plus the owner would be back by the time that could even be imaginative minds to even contemplate.
Over 65′-70′ degrees you get into danger area so its either leave ac on or take dog with you but up to 65′ degrees you should be ok to leave windows n sunroof cracked.
0′ degrees to 50′ degrees i would leave the doors n windows closed its too cold maybe leave car running with heat on, always use parking break! 50′ degrees to 65-70′ leave windows and sunroof cracked over 65-70′ degrees crank ac… leave car running
0-30′ degrees you dont want to leave your dog in a cold car with temps that low for too long either but they won’t die they have their own winter coats they are furry friends so they survived millions of years in wild, just common sense you wouldnt want to be out in the cold long yourself even if dogs have their own winter coat, you love your dog so tops half hour, or the reverse you leave your car running this time with the heat on… lock the doors from outside two sets of keys again running fuel a gallon of gas $3 tops keeps you dog toasty n warm.
30-50′ degrees is a judgment call on leaving car running with heat on.. depends on wind and how cold it feels but sounds logical and appropriate, again gasoline is easily replenished $3 a gallon but you would have to be running car idle for an hour to waste that so no biggie on that front.
People like to report others because they want to be in control and boss and get others in trouble they are so full of hatred and anger they blame every responsible dog owner for those few who allowed cruelty for dogs who were harmed. We need scapegoats and to blame someone for the mistakes of others. Lets face it people like reporting others and to feel good about their lives n existences to feel important.
i don’t think were talking about hot cars and hot days, the average person uses common sense in that situation and a newer car will leave the car running with ac on blast and lock doors from outside with two sets of keys you-re good a little gas wasted fuel spent maybe a gallon is nothing to keep your dog in comfortable conditions and leave a plastic cup of water in console for your dog.
What is the problem is crazy people who want to steal your dog, cause trouble, not minding their own business, harassing, wanting to be the boss of everyone, violating their rights and privacy and causing a scene and want to be the dog police and give others a hard time.
There are stupid people and ignorant ones and those who are putting dogs in danger and not giving them fresh water, air, and subjecting them to hot cars no doubt about it the few who do this are making it difficult for responsible dog owners to travel with their dogs to errands and store for 5-10 minute stops which is unfortunate the few who have abused dogs and harmed them make it very uncomfortable for those responsible owners to enjoy traveling with their pets.
Laws are good but the fishbowl society we live in social media and everyone wanting to boss everyone else and be the hero and act like they are doing a good Samaritan justice and bossing and control freaks and dog police are actually making our lives more complicated, anyone who harms a dog and their family pet knows by conscience they are in error and will not allow their furry friend to be harmed so the crazies are out there you gotta watch out for them but i think the police state mentality and privacy violations of our daily lives is out of control, the constitution states life liberty and the pursuit of happiness not the freedoms being taken away from you and the joy your dog brings you by riding with you and coming with you on trips to stores and errands the dog doesn’t want to be left at home either he wants to go with you and not be alone he will wait patiently 15 minutes in car rather than hours by himself waiting for his or her master to be reunited and happy.
No its the police state mentality and the do good’ers that think they are self righteous and on a higher moral ground and on their soapbox to judge others feel important bossing others around and violating thier rights the dogs have rights too and the right to be safe but also travel with their owner in peace the bad dog owners who leave their dogs in distress should be shamed but we can’t allow the few rotten apples to spoil the barrel for the responsible dog owner
Bring your dog with you everywhere you want and give those who harass you some sign language. In short n summary get a life and leave the dog owners alone.
Thank you NAS.
Today I was humiliated by a cashier at PetPros in Seattle. I bought my shepherd a bully stick at PetPros before I picked up some things at Bartell’s, located in the same lot.
While checking out at Bartell’s, the PetPros cashier frantically ran in yelling, “whoever owns the car with the shepherd better get out here! He’s been in there for 20 minutes! I’m calling the police!”
Oh, by the way, it was 32 degrees out.
She claimed “he can’t breathe!” Thanks, you’re a fucking hero.
We’ve gone on numerous road trips in that car, slept in that car, Bremerton 1 hr ferry rides in that car, all with the windows up. She needed to step the fuck back. The funny thing is- we’re on the same side! Two PC lefties out-PCing each other! I tried explaining to her but she was frothing at the mouth.
I’m open to criticism. I admit I could’ve cracked the sunroof but I didn’t want him to be cold. My biggest nightmare is someone stealing him. I lean towards being vigilant and reporting any animal in danger. But I also understand the above commenter using “crazy”. I prefer “hero” or “martyr”. Get over yourself, go work for PETA.
Some people overreact, unfortunately. I will say leaving a dog in 32 degree weather for long periods of time can be dangerous. You sound like a responsible dog owner so I doubt you leave them for long. Just FYI.
I left my dog in my car for a few times in cool weather (mid 50s) my dog loves going for rides and he just takes naps while hes in the car. I park in a protected, secured shaded area and there is off leash area so I like to let him out (I have the freedom at work to let him out anytime). He has food, water, ventilation and has never looked in distress when I came out to check on him. No dark red tongue, no vomitiing, no lethargy
Bright and normal everytime I let him out. Would I do this on a 60+ deg day in direct sunlight? No, because I know my car and my dog well and I have enough common sense when to leave him at home (which he has to be kenneled and doesnt get any fresh air or exercise until I get home)
I can see peoples frustration in hot weathers but I feel like I didnt do anything wrong and if you think I did just call animal control or police, if you try to break into my car… well you wouldnt even make it past the armed guards
Please everyone let’s get the house bill 1118 move forward sooner than later. Get ahold of your representative! That’s listed right there at the end of the article. I’m so sick and tired of seeing dogs in hot cars. http://leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/default.aspx
Please let’s go to the next step and get HB 1118 passed sooner than later!
I think my last comment was taking off in here because it contained a link but we don’t need a link if you look at the house bill yourself.
If nothing else, you can be trained as a trustee which is considered animal control officer status to help rescue a pet in a car.
It passed last year!
Wow guys this is the same sort of logic that makes it illegal for kids to walk to the park by themselves,
If you do you’re research …..
There have been less than 1000 dog deaths in the us because of heat exhaustion in vehicles, and only a couple of those were in Washington state.
Also for a dog to die of heat exhaustion they need to be in a car 110 degrees or more ( so in The sun with the windows up ) for more than an hour. Running into a coffeeshop while you’re car is parked in the shade with you’re windows all the way down shouldn’t be reason for a cop to give you a ticket like I recently got.
My red heeler can’t understand being left at home . Im sure you’re brain mutated shitzoos or whatever don’t mind solitude and doggie tv all day … But my dog goes swimming in the river at the heat of the day every day, while youre on you’re high horse about my dog in my vehicle im sitting here in people’s park playing fetch with my dog, you’re at work. You’re at work and you’re dog is miserable and stupid because of it’s lack of meaning full interaction. Put you’re dog out of its misery , and if you put you’re hand in my car I hope my beautiful happy cattle dog bites the crap out of you
I have a tri-colored border collie, one of the top 10 performing dogs in the heat (Google to “educate”)
We travel alot, he likes being in the car with me, hates being separated.
I have had 3 encounters with the same type if women . . . I call them “Doggie Munchauseners”. They crave importance and poo-poo facts.
It is NOT against the law to leave a dog in a parked car. The laws stipulate “dangerous confitions, immediate threat etc.” Many of these laws describe the common conditions we (sensible experienced dog owners) all know
. . . No ventilation, water, parked in baking sun (probably the alter ego make version of the female munchauseners)
Such overzealousness, ignoring facts, is NOT because they care . . . But that they crave a cheap way to feel important. It is a psycho type. I agree with other dog owners that the real fear us that these psychologically imbalanced ladies will open a car door (yes, windows are down so this would be easy), get bit, or endanger others to get bit. And they all quote the laws in accurately (they have an agenda), and seem to “just know your dog”. The latest psycho told me king haired dogs like mine are in danger just being in a parked car . . . Even tho Border Collies are on the top 10 list of dogs that perform well under heat (farmers want such dogs as workers). Having long hair does not mean their coat us like our coats. They have different types of hair to combat heat (some reflect heat from skin-shaving such dogs hair-picture will get too hot), huge tongues/mouths, and long lean bodies (if you aren’t stuffing “prison rationing down their throats- mine eats real food not scammed canned crap-and he never smells “doggie”, gets only occasional baths if need arises )
I think there are 4 real threats to such animals:
1. Eating dog food (even the expensive ones like-minded corporate!)
2. Mutilating animals genitals, and pretending it’s necessary. Putting the burden on the animal for human transgressions
3. Leaving animals in parked cars-PLACING THEM IN POTENTIAL DANGERS
4. Munchausener chics.
There are some overzealous people out there but I’d rather have people overreact than ignore hot cars with dogs in them.
By the way . . . There was a study done “by the experts”. They claimed that rolling the windows down anything short of halfway does nothing to change the temperature of a car (really??) so it’s the same as if the windows were up, for all intents and purposes.
Here is how the experts performed the test. They allow the car with windows up to heat up over a period of time to a very hot temperature and they recorded that. Then they opened the doors or Windows until they got the temperature down and close them again with the windows cracked.
Of course everything he did heat right back up the same. Conclusion by the experts no change, wow! Of course it does not occur to these experts that the interior of the car is full of Trapped Heat and it continues to pour out after it absorbed it from a car with the windows totally up I’ve always said that an expert is somebody who lives more than 150 miles from your house common sense is always in short supply.
If you don’t have common sense and you need to know . . . get 2 of the exact same types of cars, color interior and etc, face them into the sun roll windows down 4 in on one, let them sit for 4 hours in 80 degree heat! hello??
How many stupid “experts” does it take to turn a light bulb?
Actually none of you know the laws. Not just anyone can take the dog out of your car in Washington, they have to be law enforcement or Animal Control. Unless, the dog is laying there lethargic and not moving around, Then and only then can just anyone smash your window. I just sued someone over this and won. So yes it is stupid to leave your dog in the car unattended anytime but there are times when circumstances force you too. But at those times it is up to the everyday joe to determine if they wait for law enforcement or do it them selves, and if they do it them selves they better make sure the dog was really in danger or they might get charges. But yes if you can help it leave your dog at home where it is safe.