PA's New 'Hot Car' Law To Protect Pets: What To Know This Summer

It's the first summer for a new Pennsylvania law aimed to protect dogs and cats from being left unattended in hot cars. Gov. Tom Wolf signed House Bill 1216, the Motor Vehicle Extreme Heat Protection Act, in October.

The law, created to prevent dogs and cats from being left in parked cars, allows law enforcement to enter a car if an animal is believed to be in danger or neglect.

Here's what you should know about the new law:

• A police officer, humane officer, animal control officer or other public safety professional can remove a dog or cat from an unattended motor vehicle if they believe the dog or cat is in imminent danger or harm after a reasonable search for the operator of the vehicle.
• The officer who removes a dog or cat from the hot vehicle must leave a conspicuous note for the owner that includes the officer’s information and details on where to pick up the pet.
• The police officer, humane officer, or public safety professional who removes a dog or cat from an unattended vehicle is protected from liability for any damages.
• If you see a pet in a hot car who you think is in danger, don't try to save it yourself because the law doesn't protect civilians.

If you encounter a situation in which you feel an animal inside a car is in danger, the SPCA recommends first taking down the car's make, model and license plate number. Then, go into nearby businesses to ask them to make an announcement to find the car's owner, the SPCA advises.

"Many people are unaware of the danger of leaving pets in hot cars and will quickly return to their vehicle once they are alerted to the situation," the SPCA explains.

If the owner can't be found, then call local authorities.

You should never leave your pet unattended in a car on warm days. The interior of cars can get very hot, even on 70-degree days, animal rights activists explain.

On a 72 degree day, a car’s internal temperature can heat up to 116 degrees within an hour, according to Humane PA, an animal rights organization that supported the new Pennsylvania law.

Penalties for animal neglect in Pennsylvania range from fines to jail time. A summary offense could mean up to 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine. A misdemeanor of the third degree could mean up to one year in jail and/or $2,000 fine if the neglect causes bodily injury or places the animal at imminent risk.

In 2017, Gov. Wolf signed a package of bills to strengthen animal rights protections. The bills increased penalties for animal abuse, instituted guidelines on tethering and, added protections for horses, among other things. (Read more: PA's New Rules On Pet Tethering, Animal Abuse)