Dogs in car laws?

Question

My girlfriend is a dog trainer (mostly search and rescue, but some obedience). She was driving in upstate New York with 2 dogs in crates in the back of her full sized Bronco. The weather was in the 50's. She stopped at a fast food resterant for a quick bite (the dogs had already been fed and watered and did their business before she stopped for herself) cracked the front and back windows for ventilation. When she came out of the resterant appox 15 minutes. A cop was trying to slimjim her lock and an animal control officer and K9 unit were there trying to rescue her "abused" animals. After a heated argument she was let go with a warning. Is there a law how long you can leave animals unattended in a car or truck without abusing them? If so, do K9 cops stop for donuts?

Answer 1

In FL, we do not have a law regarding the amount of time an animal can be left unattended in a motor vehicle. It is dependent on several factors: weather conditions, vehicle running, ventilation, etc. Normally, we attempt to make contact with the owner before going into a vehicle. We will run the vehicle's tag and then make an announcement at the business. The problem is judgment. Was it truly in the 50's? If we received a call such as that, we would send an officer; however, I doubt we would do much more if we felt the dogs were in no danger. The other issue is interpretation of the law. In NY, the law does not actually state how long a dog can be left unattended, but some enforcement agencies feel that a car is not proper shelter for a dog, and therefore, an owner is violating the law if the dog is left unattended. BTW I am a K9 officer and they just closed our Krispy Kreme for renovations...help...

Answer 2

While doing this when the weather is cool may have been a little excessive (the appropriate action would have have been to go into the restaurant to look for her), the dangers of leaving dogs in cars alone in the parking lot is serious.

Even if the weather is just high 60s/ low 70s, a dog can overheat in a car within 15 minutes - enough time to get brain or organ damage, even with the windows cracked. Dogs are very unlike humans, they have fur that's designed to keep them warm - not cool, they can't sweat as effectively, etc. A dog left in a car even when it's only 70 degrees outside can be dead in 30 minutes to an hour, even with the windows cracked.

On hotter days, it can even get up to over 160 degrees in a car in just a matter of minutes. I'm glad your friend got off with a warning, but I'm also glad that the area was treating this seriously. Some police don't want to go out of their way to save overheating dogs because they do not realize the danger.

Answer 3

To answer the question about Laws. Many states have enacted laws that prohibit leaving an animal unattended in cars. Just like many states have made the same laws for leaving children in cars unattended. In the animal case it would be tied to cruelty to animals so animal control or spca would get involved. No police aren't out just to get people, but if they are called to something like this they will take appropriate action if they feel the animal is in danger.

Answer 4

Sounds like the cops were just looking for something to do. Maybe just to be safe she should use a drive-thru from now on. I'm not sure of the exact laws in NY but if the weather isn't freezing or hot I don't think she was breaking any laws.

Answer 5

Her first mistake was driving in Jew York with them. Only thing worse is Massajewsets. But anywhere in America you are going to here the waa waa waa of spanking your children, etc, etc, etc. See, the law (cops) will do anything to fine you for what they perceive as a codebreaker. You are not safe anywhere almost from ticketing and harassment from people who do not know the facts, unless you leave the country. Stop patronizing reality TV, and all of this bullshit will eventually fade away.

She did right to argue and fight. If she did not, they would have ticketed her. They are like coyotes looking for easy submissive prey, and will move on when they are fought back at. Their intention was to seize the animals like towing a car in the wrong place. Then fine you per the state, city, or county; then animal control fine you for abuse, along with EXTORTED MADE UP MEDICAL CARE, as well as EXTORTED IMPOUNDMENT OVERNIGHT FEE! It's all about money honey, has nothing to do with righteous just laws. Cops are trained reconnaissance money makers.

Answer 6

you cannot ever leave them in a car its the same offence as leaving a child in the car