It was 105 degrees outside. Inside the car, it was 132 degrees. A dog was trapped inside for up to 30 minutes while her owner shopped at a mall.

A Chandler police sergeant responded to reports of a dog in distress outside Chandler Fashion Center and found the animal inside a non-running car with a cracked window and a small cup of water. Body camera footage captured the temperature reading inside the vehicle. The dog was visibly distressed by the time officers arrived. Thankfully the car was unlocked and the sergeant was able to get her out immediately. She is now recovering at the Arizona Humane Society.

The owner was cited for animal cruelty. Police say they do not believe it was intentional.

But intention does not matter to a dog trapped in a 132-degree car. Studies show that cracking windows and parking in the shade do nothing to meaningfully reduce interior temperatures. A dog's body temperature rises far faster than a human's. Thirty minutes in those conditions can be fatal.

Nearly 40 children and even more pets die in hot cars every year across the country. A citation is not enough of a deterrent when people still do not understand how fast cars heat up or how serious the consequences are.

Arizona must do more. Stronger penalties, mandatory public education campaigns, and clear signage at shopping centers during summer months can save lives.

Sign this petition to demand Arizona legislators strengthen hot car laws and protect pets and children from preventable deaths.