In Dedham, a golden retriever was left alone in a hot car for 40 minutes while its owner went swimming. The dog was found panting, overheated, and terrified — lucky to be alive. The fine? Just $150.

That’s outrageous.

In Massachusetts, that’s the standard penalty for leaving a pet in a hot car. No matter how long. No matter how close to death the animal is. That’s barely more than a parking ticket.

It’s not enough.

Heatstroke can kill a dog in minutes. Even with the windows cracked, a parked car can become a death trap. Animal experts have warned about this for years. We’ve had public awareness campaigns. Still, it keeps happening — because the law doesn’t take it seriously.

We’re calling on Massachusetts lawmakers to raise the fine and send a clear message: leaving a dog in a hot car is animal cruelty, not a minor mistake.

A $500 fine would be a start. But what we really need is meaningful deterrence — with penalties that reflect the real harm these animals suffer.

Massachusetts should lead the way in protecting pets from preventable suffering. Let’s stop settling for warnings and weak fines. Let’s act before another life is lost in a locked car.