Dogs in Cars, Hot Temperatures, A Deadly Combination

Confining a dog in a car when the temperature is hot is like putting the dog in the oven. It is cruel and it can kill the dog.  New York is among the states where it is against the law to do this.

What should you do if you see a dog in a parked car where the heat is endangering the animal’s life? Call the emergency police number of the police department in the jurisdiction the car is parked in.  The call will be sent out to the officers and someone will respond.  New York State law requires a police officer or a peace officer, or a peace officer acting as animal control, to take the necessary steps to remove the animal from the vehicle.  

Here is a list of emergency police numbers and the numbers for Animal Control, should you need them.

Emergency: 725-0058

Emergency: 728-5000

Southampton Animal Control : 631-728-PETS (press 2 for animal control)

East Hampton Police Emergency: 911, 537-7575

East Hampton Animal Control: 631-324-0085

Finally, here is the statute from the Laws of New York State, Agriculture and Markets.  

 §  353-d.  Confinement  of  companion  animals  in  vehicles:  extreme

  temperatures. 1. A person shall not confine  a  companion  animal  in  a

  motor  vehicle  in  extreme  heat  or cold without proper ventilation or

  other protection from such extreme temperatures where  such  confinement

  places  the  companion  animal  in  imminent  danger of death or serious

  physical injury due to exposure to such extreme heat or cold.

    2. Where the operator of such a vehicle cannot be promptly located,  a

  police  officer, peace officer, or peace officer acting as an agent of a

  duly incorporated humane society may take necessary steps to remove  the

  animal or animals from the vehicle.

    3.  Police officers, peace officers or peace officers acting as agents

  of a duly incorporated humane society removing an animal or animals from

  a vehicle pursuant to this section shall place a written notice on or in

  the vehicle,  bearing  the  name  of  the  officer  or  agent,  and  the

  department  or  agency  and  address where the animal or animals will be

  taken.

    4. An animal or animals  removed  from  a  vehicle  pursuant  to  this

  section  shall,  after  receipt  of  any  necessary emergency veterinary

  treatment, be delivered to  the  duly  incorporated  humane  society  or

  society  for  the  prevention of cruelty to animals, or designated agent

  thereof, in the jurisdiction where the animal or animals were seized.

    5. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions of subdivision one

  of this section shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by a fine  of

  not  less  than  fifty  dollars  nor more than one hundred dollars for a

  first offense, and a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor  more

  than two hundred and fifty dollars for a second and subsequent offenses.

    6. Officers shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for actions

  taken  reasonably  and  in  good faith in carrying out the provisions of

  this section.

    7. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect  any

  other   protections  afforded  to  companion  animals  under  any  other

  provisions of this article.