Come on folks, you know better than this! I know dogs love to go in the car with you but last Thursday alone, Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) issued three citations for charges ranging from Unsafe Confinement to Animal Cruelty in the Second Degree for keeping dogs in hot cars. And one of the charges stemmed from a woman leaving her puppy in the car while she was in a bar!
Animal Protection Officers spent that day responding to reports of animals left in cars. In each case, the animals were seized and rushed to local veterinarians who confirmed the animals were suffering from heat stress.
The temperature inside a car can quickly climb to over 100-degrees. Even leaving a dog in the bed of a pickup can result in severe burns because the metal and the liner get so hot.
Animal Cruelty 2nd Degree (RCW 16.52.207) is a gross misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 365 days in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Unsafe Confinement (RCW 16.52.080) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
If you see an animal left in a vehicle, call SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532.