CHENANGO COUNTY – As summer progresses, it’s important to know the dangers of leaving a pet or child unattended in a hot vehicle, especially as there have been instances of concerned citizens coming across such situations. It was also almost a year ago that a dog died after being left unattended in a car for four hours at the New York State Fair Grounds.
“People need to understand that even if it doesn't seem like it's hot to you, with the sun it gets hot,” said Lisa Teller, Director of Operations at the Chenango SPCA. “With the windows cracked open they think it's fine, but it's not.”
She and Courtney Sullivan, owner of Doggie Dude Ranch in Norwich, will sometimes receive calls from concerned individuals who come across pets in closed up vehicles.
Teller and Sullivan both agreed that pets should not be left inside a vehicle, unless it is for a very quick trip into a store, etc. In that case, the air conditioning should be left on, the said. Sullivan explained that most often people are well-intentioned and bring their dog with them to ride along, but this is not the best idea.
“Leave your dog at home if you're going to leave it in your car,” Sullivan said.
Added Teller, “Even five minutes is a long time on a hot day.”
The National Weather Service warns against ever leaving children, disabled adults or pets in cars.
“Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can handle. Hyperthermia can occur even on a mild day,” states the NWS website.
A demonstration showed how a car can raise from a safe temperature to an unsafe temperature of 94.3 degrees Fahrenheit in just over two minutes. This escalation in temperature can make a vehicle a death trap for a child or pet left inside.
Sullivan and Teller advised that if a person comes across a pet in a car and it seems distressed, then they should first attempt to locate the owner. If there’s still concern, call local authorities.
Sheriff Ernest Cutting, Jr. of the Chenango County Sheriff's Office also suggested trying to locate the owner of the vehicle. If the location is a store parking lot, it may be possible to make an announcement over the store's intercom system to bring the owner out.
“If you see a dog or child or another pet and it looks like it's in distress, certainly call law enforcement,” he said.
When asked if a concerned citizen could legally break the window of a vehicle to assist a pet or child, he explained that it depends on the situation.
“There is a good samaritan law if you're trying to help,” he said. “It depends on the amount of stress the animal or child is under.”
Because of this gray area, he advises people to call law enforcement before taking any action.
Police Chief Joseph Angelino of the Norwich City Police Department also advised people to use common sense in assessing the situation and to call authorities.
“If a dog is in distress, call the police and we will respond,” Angelino said. Depending on the situation, if a person were to break a window, charges for damage may be applied.
According to the NYS Agriculture and Markets Law 353-d, it is illegal to confine “companion animals” in vehicles with extreme temperatures without proper ventilation or other protection. The law allows the officer to take any steps necessary to get the animal(s) out of the vehicle if the owner cannot be located.
The Norwich City Police Department has two K9s and they both have their own vehicles to ride in. Understanding the danger of the K9s being left in a vehicle, Angelino explained that the department has spent thousands of dollars on an intricate cooling system for the cars. Alarms will go off if the temperature gets too high, which will be set off by the temperature sensors.
For those that do not have such extensive cooling systems in their vehicles, leaving a child or pet in a car is always a risk. Cutting explained one instance in which the air conditioner had been left on to make a dog comfortable, but the car ended up stalling which left the dog in a dangerous situation.
“During the summer months, a car can heat up very rapidly,” Cutting said. “People are required to monitor and care for their child or pet.”