Officials are reminding that while you’re enjoying your summer with a pet in tow, it’s dangerous and illegal to leave them in a vehicle.Even if the windows are cracked on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside the car could reach 104 degrees within 10 minutes, according to San Francisco State University.Provided “This is a very common thing in the city during the winter and the summer. Dogs cannot tolerate hot temperatures as well as humans,” said animal cruelty investigator Officer Rebecca Thompson of the Syracuse Police Department.She said each case is handled differently depending on weather conditions and the animal’s breed, but there are policies to ensure animal abusers will face consequences.The fine for leaving pets in a vehicle in dangerous weather conditions is $50 to $100 for a first offense if the dog is not in distress when an officer responds. If the dog is evidently suffering, the owner can be charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.If a pet dies from injuries sustained while in the vehicle, the owner can be charged with felony animal cruelty, Thompson said. Those charges are on top of the potential of having a window smashed in by an officer trying to save a pet.She said an officer is not criminally or civilly liable for the damage if a good-faith effort is being made to help an animal in immediate danger when the owner cannot be quickly reached.Contact Jolene Almendarez anytime: 315-418-8746
Source: Penalties for leaving pet in vehicle range from a fine to a felony in NY | syracuse.com
(Visited 78 times, 1 visits today)
