When is it Safe to Leave a Dog in the Car

When is it safe to leave a dog in the car? This isn’t an article I or anyone else should need to write, yet here I am, writing it anyway. What prompted this? 

I stopped at Walmart to run a few errands and there was a dog locked in a car I walked past. The car was off and the windows were all rolled up. The dog was not the friendliest and it attacked the window when I walked by. It was also not in severe distress but was panting harder than a dog should for just expelling excess body heat. 

I took note of the time when I went in to run my errands.  

While I’m not saying it’s okay, sometimes people need to run into the store really quick and they have their dog with them. The outside temperature was around 70F, so not excessively hot but hot enough that the interior of vehicles would heat up significantly. I was back outside in less than ten minutes and the dog was still there. 

I waited a little bit longer before calling Walmart to notify them of the dog. The woman said she would announce it over the speaker. I waited another ten minutes after calling to see if the owner would come out. They did not and I called the police. 

The operator asked for the vehicle’s plate information and asked me to confirm the type of car and location before they said they would send an officer. I stayed in the parking lot until he arrived in case the owner came out and left before he got there so I could call back and notify them. 

Once the officer arrived, I gave him all the information again and he said he would find the owner and take care of it and I was free to go. Having been sick and still not feeling 100% myself yet, he didn’t have to tell me twice. 

When is it Safe to Leave a Dog in the Car?

There are a variety of different factors to take into account before leaving your dog in your car. 

I have never left Olaf in a car alone before, mostly because he does not like to go for rides and when we do go somewhere, we’re going somewhere for him. 

I have left my Havanese in the car unattended before because they do like going for rides. And I hate leaving them though, they bark so much and it stresses them out. 

When I do have to leave them in the summer, the windows are up and I leave the car running with the air conditioner on and the key in it. I do take the fob off so I can lock the vehicle, just in case. I also put them in a crate in the back since we did have one of the Havs open the window and rush inside the store to come find us when I was in high school. I’m also never gone for long. Any trip into a store I make when I have a dog with me is quick. 

I do realize being able to leave the car running is not something everyone can do due to where they live and I’m fortunate to live in a safe area with minimal risk of vehicles being stolen that are left running. I did have a car stolen from me one time, but that is completely unrelated. 

The Dangers of Leaving Dogs in Cars During the Summer

Heat and Temperature Risks

Leaving dogs in cars during the summer poses severe health risks due to rapidly rising temperatures. 

Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to dangerous levels within minutes. According to studies, when the outside temperature is 70°F (21°C), the inside of a car can reach 104°F (40°C) in just 30 minutes. On an 85°F (29°C) day, interior temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) in 10 minutes and reach 120°F (49°C) in half an hour.

Just think about how hot the car feels to you when you get back in it after running errands. 

Effects on Dogs

Dogs are particularly vulnerable to heat due to their limited ability to cool themselves. They rely on panting to regulate their body temperature and in a hot car, this mechanism is insufficient, leading to the rapid onset of heat-related illnesses. 

Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, uncoordinated movements, vomiting, and collapse. Without immediate intervention, heatstroke can cause severe organ damage or death.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Recognizing the risks, many regions have enacted laws to protect animals from being left in hot cars. 

In some places, it is illegal to leave a pet in a vehicle if conditions could pose a health risk. Penalties range from fines to criminal charges. 

Additionally, several states have “Good Samaritan” laws that allow bystanders to take action, such as breaking into the car, to rescue an animal in distress without facing legal repercussions.

Preventive Measures

To prevent the dangers associated with leaving dogs in cars during the summer, pet owners should consider several alternatives:

1. Leave Pets at Home

The safest option is to leave pets at home where they have access to cool areas and plenty of water.

2. Take Them Along

If traveling with pets is necessary, take them with you when you leave the car. Many stores and businesses now welcome pets, or you can use services like drive-throughs or curbside pickup.

3. Find Pet-Friendly Solutions

Utilize pet-friendly facilities such as doggy daycares, or have a trusted friend or family member look after your dog if you need to run errands.

Raising Awareness

Public awareness campaigns are crucial in educating pet owners about the risks of leaving dogs in hot cars. 

Organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Humane Society often promote these messages, especially during the warmer months. Social media and community programs can also play a significant role in spreading the word.

The bottom line is leaving dogs in cars during the summer is a dangerous practice that can lead to severe health consequences or even death. Pet owners must understand the risks and take proactive measures to ensure their pets’ safety. 

This is not an article that should have been written. People should have enough sense and be responsible enough to not leave their dogs in hot cars.