Pass State Laws protecting animals left in parked vehicles during warmer weather.
The Issue
Is it illegal to leave your dog in a parked car? The answer to this question, of course, depends on in the state in which you live. Actually, only 22 states have statutes that either prohibit leaving an animal in confined vehicle or provide civil immunity (protection from being sued) for a person who rescues an animal from a vehicle under certain conditions. Pennsylvania has no laws protecting animals left in parked or stationary vehicles. The important factor to the question is the condition under which the animal is left in the vehicle. Most of these laws provide that the animal must be confined or unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle. Further, the laws add that in order for a person to violate the law, the conditions have to endanger the animal's life. Some of the statutes specifically state that extreme hot or cold temperatures, lack of adequate ventilation, or failing to provide proper food or drink meet this definition or conditions are such that physical injury or death is likely to result.
While not all states have laws that address animals in parked vehicles, numerous local ordinances prohibit this, and more may be enacted. It is critical then that owners are aware of their local laws concerning this subject. Even without a state or local law, this action could still constitute cruelty under some circumstances.
Every year dogs especially suffer and die when their owners make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car. Even if it's just for a minute, parked cars are death traps for dogs! On a hot day, temperatures inside a parked car can sore to over 100 degrees. Animals can die from heat stroke in just 15 minutes! With temperatures rising, this situation is entirely avoidable. Unfortunately people aren't taking this message seriously!
I started this petition because it is important we make this illegal to leave dogs in hot vehicles. This should also be addressed by law enforcement as well. K9 officers are left in a confined space with no way of leaving the vehicle without a human officer's assistance.I think a law has to be passed that if you leave any animal in a parked vehicle you will be charged with animal cruelty. It should become a criminal offense of a felony charge because you are knowing leaving an animal in an unsafe environment. We want jail time and police forces to take this seriously.
By people signing this petition we will be one step closer to saving many lives!
The Issue
Is it illegal to leave your dog in a parked car? The answer to this question, of course, depends on in the state in which you live. Actually, only 22 states have statutes that either prohibit leaving an animal in confined vehicle or provide civil immunity (protection from being sued) for a person who rescues an animal from a vehicle under certain conditions. Pennsylvania has no laws protecting animals left in parked or stationary vehicles. The important factor to the question is the condition under which the animal is left in the vehicle. Most of these laws provide that the animal must be confined or unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle. Further, the laws add that in order for a person to violate the law, the conditions have to endanger the animal's life. Some of the statutes specifically state that extreme hot or cold temperatures, lack of adequate ventilation, or failing to provide proper food or drink meet this definition or conditions are such that physical injury or death is likely to result.
While not all states have laws that address animals in parked vehicles, numerous local ordinances prohibit this, and more may be enacted. It is critical then that owners are aware of their local laws concerning this subject. Even without a state or local law, this action could still constitute cruelty under some circumstances.
Every year dogs especially suffer and die when their owners make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car. Even if it's just for a minute, parked cars are death traps for dogs! On a hot day, temperatures inside a parked car can sore to over 100 degrees. Animals can die from heat stroke in just 15 minutes! With temperatures rising, this situation is entirely avoidable. Unfortunately people aren't taking this message seriously!
I started this petition because it is important we make this illegal to leave dogs in hot vehicles. This should also be addressed by law enforcement as well. K9 officers are left in a confined space with no way of leaving the vehicle without a human officer's assistance.I think a law has to be passed that if you leave any animal in a parked vehicle you will be charged with animal cruelty. It should become a criminal offense of a felony charge because you are knowing leaving an animal in an unsafe environment. We want jail time and police forces to take this seriously.
By people signing this petition we will be one step closer to saving many lives!
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on June 29, 2016