You can legally smash the window of a hot car to save dogs in these states!

[MoonRiver]

Tennessee, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and Massachusetts Lead the Reform Effort

“In 2015, Tennessee made history by passing the first such law of its kind in the nation,” HSUS President Wayne Pacelle explained. “Since then the states of Florida and Wisconsin have come on board. A similar bill has just landed on the Ohio governor’s desk, Michigan and Massachusetts are considering bills allowing the rescue of dogs from hot cars, and there is a bill in California that is moving ahead with strong bipartisan support. Virginia just passed a new law in 2016 giving civil immunity to first responders.”

http://www.care2.com/causes/you-can-legally-smash-the-window-of-a-hot-car-to-save-a-dog-in-these-states.html

[ChisolmTrailDem]

1. I'm in Texas, which is not listed. However, I will not hesitate to break windows for...

...pets and children if they're trapped in a hot car.

[lpbk2713]

3. You'd better have witnesses standing by to get children out of a car.

Something like that could take a turn you might be unprepared for.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

5. So, I should consider my possible legal ramifications while I watch a life being snuffed out?

What should I stand there and think about while life slips away?

[awoke_in_2003]

12. In Texas

Taking a turn you're not prepared for means "you could get shot". I don't even honk at people down here.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

14. If I gotta go while saving a life, I guess that's what'll have to happen. nt

[awoke_in_2003]

20. I understand

I would do it for children, but I might call 911 with a dog.

[rjsquirrel]

6. Call 911 and describe your actions right before

you do it. Say where you are. Give your full name.

No jury will convict you.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

13. Obvious to me and I would do that, of course. Still, very good advice. Thank you, rjsquirrel. nt

[virgogal]

2. Legal or not,I'd still break the window.

[joeybee12]

4. Me too

I wouldn't even hesitate.

[MoonRiver]

7. Calling 911 would be my first response.

But if the dog were clearly dying I might break it also. Would gladly pay the price of a window to save a precious life.

[spooky3]

15. I've called 911, in a "progressive community", and was treated like a crazy meddler.

I was shopping at an outdoor mall in a relatively affluent community with low crime, so it wasn't as if police resources were so stretched that they could not respond. I then called contacts at the animal rescue orgs I work with but they couldn't help. Fortunately, the idiot owner returned to the car within 40 minutes of my seeing the dog in the car (I delayed returning to work to try to get this resolved).

I don't know what i would have done had the owner not returned soon. I'm in VA, and I'm glad to see the "first responder" law now on the books, but it may not go far enough if the "first responders" do not respond.

[MoonRiver]

19. Then maybe also calling the media would be a good idea.

In fact, I think that's what I'll do if the occasion arises.

[spooky3]

23. Good idea

[TeamPooka]

28. Video everything then break glass in an emergency

[ejbr]

25. ^ this n/t

[shenmue]

8. I called the police once

[Jokerman]

9. Allowed here under a local ordinance.

Indianapolis also has upper and lower temperature limits on leaving a pet outside without shelter.

As others have stated, I would save the pet first and worry about the legalities later.

[enlightenment]

10. Cats and dogs in Nevada - but

not other companion animals (though I suspect a jury would be sympathetic if someone smashed a window to save another kind of critter).

If you leave an animal in a hot car, you can also be fined and/or imprisoned, and your animal will be confiscated (bad, because they send them to kill shelters - seems to defeat the purpose of the law).

Technically, the law protecting dogs and cats from stupid humans is stronger than the law protecting infants and toddlers left in cars by stupid humans. An odd thing, that - but we always leap to the "people forget" escape clause when someone roasts their kid. With animals, the default is "guilty as charged."

[sorefeet]

11. I really don't give two shits what

state I'm in, I refuse to let any critter or human suffer or die trapped inside a hot car. Period. If I have to pay for the window, so be it.

[Bucky]

16. Be careful. I once smashed a car window to save a youngster's life and got in trouble for it.

She turned on me and had the temerity to point out to the judge she was 48 and had just stopped at a red light.

Some people just have no gratitude.

[jberryhill]

30. I let out someone's pit bull and it mauled three bystanders

Imagine the lack of gratitude I got for that.

[Bucky]

34. are you sure you're not just trolling?

pitbulls are sweet affectionate animals and end up mauling less than half of their owners

[jberryhill]

35. The car had a DU bumper sticker

So, there I was, in the parking lot of the Olive Garden. I tried to get them to come outside, but they were just going to town on the endless breadsticks and running in and out of the wrong bathrooms.

[C Moon]

17. I went to a doctor's appointment last month.

It was supposed to be a record breaking heat day (for late April), probably 90's.
It was already 75 out at 9am.
When I stepped out of my car, I heard a small dog yipping in the parking lot. I looked over and saw it in the car with the windows cracked.
I went inside to check and and asked the lady to have security check on the pup.
As I was walking to the elevator, I saw security sitting on a bench with his cell phone. His radio bleeped and he got up to go outside. Within 5 minutes I was in the doctor's office and heard, "Would the owner of a white..." I couldn't hear the rest.
As I was leaving I saw the security guard at the car coddling the dog in his arms, while the owner was fiddling with something in the front seat. No window broken, but an owner put right.
I sure would break a window if needed, though.

[Orrex]

18. I learned a few years ago...

that cops in Ohio would not (at the time) help you get into your own locked vehicle (to retrieve your keys, for instance) unless a child is inside.

"What if it's a dog?" I asked the 911 dispatcher.

"A dog is not a child," came the answer.


Interesting to see that this appears to be changing, at least in some states.

[greytdemocrat]

21. I would not hesitate

to break a window for a child or a pet.

I'd also call the police right after doing it.

[Amimnoch]

22. Do please use some judgement before proceeding though.

Many modern cars will allow to leave the engine and air conditioning running.

I take my dogs to the store (and most places where I'll be away from the car for only a short period) with me because the LOVE going on car rides. If you even mention car ride within ear shot, they hop up and down excitedly.

When I get to the store, or wherever I'm going, I leave the car locked and running (without the FOB it won't go anywhere as many cars are designed today work). They have music. They have their water dish. they are in air conditioning. They are loving watching people walk by. There is no reason to smash my window in. There is no abuse. There is no neglect. The little one (Ms. Cocoa Chanel) does get very excited when she's out and about. Even with the Air conditioning full blast she pants in her excitement.

By all means, protect those that can't protect themselves.. but do please look at the whole picture and consider everything before acting rashly.

Before you grab the brick to break the window in, use the back of your hand against the glass. If it is hot, act. If the glass is cool, and the engine is running, it's probably not a good idea to break the glass. You're likely causing more stress to the dog, running the risk of getting yourself bit by an unhappy and protective pet that doesn't know you're intention is to assist them.

[SheilaT]

24. I'd think it would be pretty obvious if the engine were running and the AC on.

However, on a hot day the outside of the window is going to be hot even with the AC cranked up to its coldest. The inside of the window is warm if the day outside is hot. You can check this yourself. So hand on the window isn't remotely useful.

What if the car stalls out? What if the dog inside jumps around and manages to knock the gear shift into drive? Taking the animal with you and leaving it in the car is irresponsible. Leave it home, or only take it for a drive when you'll take it out of the car when you get out.

I know, you're going to defend your behavior fiercely, because nothing bad would ever happen to your dog.

[neohippie]

27. I agree somewhat with you

The vehicle could stall, easily in the heat, however, with the new remote start for cars that have a key that allows that the vehicle would turn off if one of the pedals (gas or brake) is pressed or if the car was put into gear, so you wouldn't have to worry about the animal being able to move the car, but then the car and the AC are no longer running, probably something that this person didn't consider being so easy for the pet to do but very possible

[Hassin Bin Sober]

31. I once had a lady chase me out of the drug store with the manager in tow because...

... I left my dog in the truck with the doors locked and the a/c blasting.

It was a really hot day. I was picking up a prescription for a friend. While checking out, I saw a woman looking somewhat frantic apparently looking for the manager and I thought, hmmm. As I get to the truck, she and the manager came running up. She yelled at me "you left that dog in your car!!!!"

I showed her the truck was on and ac was running. She apologized to me and I apologized to her for scaring the shit out of her. I thanked her for looking out for dogs. She said she runs a rescue. I think we even hugged, IIRC. My dog gave her a kiss, I do remember.

I love taking my dog with me as much as possible. She absolutely loves car rides and going on "missions" as me and my partner call it. She is all gung ho out in front so we call it going on missions. Or family pack rides.

Wouldn't miss those for the world.

Is there a risk? Sure. That's why I won't leave her for more than about ten minutes or so. If we are more than 10 minutes, one of us will check on her or I will check if by myself. I'm more worried about someone stealing her. i drive a very well maintained late model truck with a big air conditioner. Bad things happen - I know. I remember that cop who left his dog 4 hours and the engine quit. The idea she is going to put the car in drive is kind of silly - unless she presses the brake with one paw and shifts with the other.

Yeah, bad things happen. They happen at home too when owners are away. I live on the top/third floor. If the ac quit it could become dangerous in a matter of hours on a bad day. We just installed a Nest so that would help. There is also the worry of fires when I am gone. I never run the dryer or dishwasher when I'm gone mainly because a small fire could be devastating. I also worry about her getting stolen in our yard. I've had friends have dogs stolen out of yards. I no longer let her hang out in the yard by herself. On nice days, I keep her on the third floor deck and let her go in and out.

My dog is better cared for than a lot of kids. She sure sees the doctor more than me

[tk2kewl]

32. some people just like to be outraged

My dog loves to come along too. A few years back my son and I went to a sporting goods store at the mall. It was probably about 80deg. The dog came along.

I parked on the bottom deck of a parking garage out of the sun and left all 4 windows open about 3 or 4 inches - enough for good air flow but not enough for a Labrador to fit through.

The bottom deck of the parking garage was at least 10deg cooler than the outside temperature.

When I got back to the car there I found that some "concerned citizens" had poured water through the window on the dog and my seats as well as called the police. They didn't hang around, but the cop that was still there described them as an angry mob.

Funny part of the story is that my son who was very young at the time asked me later in the day "daddy, what's an angry mop?"

[Glassunion]

33. Keep a sign in your car...

[FSogol]

26. Wait, I can smash these windows?

[Sam_Fields]

29. This dog owner has the right idea

[link:|