Leaving Your Pet in an Unattended Vehicle is Wrong

Hi, everyone!

Last year I wrote a blog on . I had seen so many pets in vehicles. Vehicles that were running and vehicles not running. I was hoping by writing about this issue it might bring attention to a problem I see quite often.

Unfortunately, it did not. I'm not sure what I can say to encourage you NOT to leave your pet unattended in a vehicle, but I'm going to attempt AGAIN to get the message across.

Let's be clear—it does not matter whether it's 30 degrees or 90 degrees, it is still extremely dangerous to leave your pets in unattended vehicles. I am going to list some facts on this topic. Please take the time to read and process these.

(1) Leaving an animal unattended in a confined vehicle is illegal in 14 states. Illinois is one of them.

(2) Your first offense will give you a hefty fine and a class C misdemeanor. Your second offense will bring you a bigger fine and a class B misdemeanor. 

(3) If you leave an animal in a confined vehicle, even with the windows cracked it will only take FEWER than 15 minutes for an animal to suffer heatstroke.

(4) When it is as low as 60 degrees outside the temperature on the inside of a vehicle can reach 90 degrees in fewer than 15 minutes...in the shade! In the sun, it can reach 160 degrees in the same time period. Your animal will then be dead.

Those are cold, hard facts. The other "side" of this issue is the simple fact that it is wrong to leave a pet in a confined vehicle. It is heartless and inhumane. No excuse is a valid excuse. I have heard them all...

It's only a minute...The dog wanted to come with me...I needed some company...I cracked the windows...I didn't want to leave him home alone...It's only a LITTLE hot... 

All of those excuses are wrong. Then I see the people who leave their vehicles running with their pets in them!!!!! WOW. Anything could happen. And believe me I have seen it. The pet could accidentally shift the car into another gear....(One scenario I have actually seen!) It is so dangerous for the animal not to mention someone could steal your vehicle!!!!

Reading this will not make a difference unless action is taken by people who see vehicles with animals in them unattended. We all need to step up on this issue. If you see a vehicle with an unattended animal in it—DO SOMETHING. Taking the time to actually find the owner or call the police could make the difference between life and death for an innocent animal. Pets should not have to suffer because of the stupidity of their owners. 

The next time you see an unattended animal in a vehicle, think before you walk away... maybe the animal will be all right...but then again you might be the last person the animal sees. What would YOU do?

Thanks for reading! 

As always be healthy, eat well and stay happy!!