In the state of Pennsylvania, there is no law that prevents animal owners from leaving their pet in a hot car. On a hot summer day, the temperature inside a car can increase 10-20 degree Fahrenheit higher than the outside temperature every 10 minutes. This means that when it is 80 degree Fahrenheit, it can get up to nearly 100 degree Fahrenheit in a car in just 10 minutes. 

People don't understand the risk they are taking when leaving an unattended animal in a hot car for only a few minutes. Especially if the windows are rolled up, this situation turns into a hot box for the animal and could be fatal, causing heatstroke, irreversible illness, or brain damage. Symptoms for heatstroke include: excessive panting and drooling, rapid heart rate, shock, seizures, trouble breathing, wobbling or "drunk" like movements, or unconsciousness. If an animal is in distress these symptoms could accelerate rapidly. Would you want to be left in a hot box for 10-15 minutes where you couldn't breathe and become severely dehydrated in a matter of minutes? If you wouldn't want that for yourself or your children why would you leave your pet in that situation? 

The other issue effecting these types of situations are the risk of legal action if a bystander tries to help an animal in a hot car. When a pedestrian comes across an animal in a hot car and it is obvious that the animal is uncomfortable and showing symptoms of heatstroke, should the person risk the chance of being arrested for damage of a person's personal property or save the animals life? Too many times has a person had to worry about the legal consequences of their actions instead of worrying about the safety of the animal. Should one really be punished for saving an animals life?

Right now only 16 states have laws that protect animals and bystanders from situations where animals are left in hot cars. However, these states only allow law enforcement, animal control officers, licensed security guards, firefighter, or a volunteer of a fire and rescue squad to remove the animals from these cars without consequence. I am asking Senator Toomey, the Pennsylvania Senate, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to make it illegal to leave unattended animals in hot cars and provide some legal protection for bystanders helping these animals in distress.

We all know that the laws in our nation that protect animals are not as strict as they should be but we can take small steps into changing that! These pets are our family. Treat them as such. Don't leave your pet in a hot car. It is a sign of cruelty! It could turn into your biggest regret!