PORTLAND, Maine — In warm weather, vehicle can be a dangerous place for your furry friends. If you see a dog locked inside a hot car, there is reason to worry, because in just minutes that car can overheat and become dangerous.
Cumberland County Chief Deputy Naldo Gagnon says there are a few things you can do to help an animal in a dangerous situation.
First, take down the vehicle’s make and model and license plate number. If there is a business nearby, notify the managers and ask them to make an announcement to try to find the owner. If you can’t find the owner, call local police or the sheriff’s office and wait by the car for an officials to arrive.
If the window is cracked open, you can try to supply the dog with water, but you should not break into the car. If you break a window, you could be liable for that damage even if you’re trying to save an animal.
Gagnon says his office doesn’t get reports of animals in hot cars too often, but when it does happen officials take the report very seriously and do everything they can to help that animal.
According to PETA, when it’s 80 degrees outside, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 99 degrees within 10 minutes and rolling down window doesn’t do much to keep the temperature inside the car down.
If you are caught leaving your pet inside a hot car, you could be charged with a Class E or D crime for neglect.