North Carolina law currently does not have a statue on the books to including provisions for penalties for leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle when the animal's life is in danger. Other states have laws regarding this. Current law in NC - http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/byarticle/chapter_14/article_47.html
The following should be amended: "§ 14‑363. Conveying animals in a cruel manner.
If any person shall carry or cause to be carried in or upon any vehicle or other conveyance, any animal in a cruel or inhuman manner, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Whenever an offender shall be taken into custody therefor by any officer, the officer may take charge of such vehicle or other conveyance and its contents, and deposit the same in some safe place of custody. The necessary expenses which may be incurred for taking charge of and keeping and sustaining the vehicle or other conveyance shall be a lien thereon, to be paid before the same can be lawfully reclaimed; or the said expenses, or any part thereof remaining unpaid, may be recovered by the person incurring the same of the owner of such animal in an action therefor. (1881, c. 368, s. 5; Code, s. 2486; 1891, c. 65; Rev., s. 3302; C.S., s. 4486; 1953, c. 857, s. 3; 1969, c. 1224, s. 4; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 967, s. 1; 1989, c. 670, s. 4; 1993, c. 539, s. 244; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)"

This should also include specific text in the nature of - "Leave it unattended in a vehicle under inhumane conditions adverse to the health or welfare of the living animal or creature."