Pets and Cars in the Florida Heat
Summer means getting outside and enjoying the Florida sunshine. It also means taking “man’s best friend” with you to the beach, the park or wherever you’re going. My puppy, Petunia, loves going for a ride in the car (unless we are going to the Vet, but that’s another story.) As responsible pet owners, it is incumbent upon all of us to make sure we have a plan.
Dogs love to be outside just as much as we do. There are plenty of pet-friendly places for you to visit in Florida, but, it’s important to plan your day around making sure you don’t have to leave your pets in the car for any length of time, not even a few minutes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states the temperature inside a sealed car receiving any direct sunlight “can climb from 78° to 100° in just three minutes, 225° in 68 minutes.” So, a quick trip into the grocery store or a convenience store which can easily take approximately 15 minutes, can be a recipe for disaster. Imagine what your dog is experiencing in the hot car while you just pop in to pick up a few things? It could be unbearable for them.
Is it Illegal?
Yes and no. No, the actual act of leaving your pet inside the car is not illegal in Lee County, Florida, but according to Lee County Ordinance number 09–20 section 23: “The Owner or operator of a motor vehicle shall not place or confine an animal, nor allow an animal to be placed or confined in an unattended motor vehicle without sufficient ventilation or under conditions which may endanger the health or well-being of the animal due to heat, lack of water or any other circumstances which may cause suffering, disability or death.”
The ordinance continues on to state that an animal control officer or law enforcement officer may enter the vehicle using any means necessary if they find that the animal is an obvious stage of distress. They will either impound the animal with animal services or seek veterinary care if needed. This basically means that law enforcement officers have the right to use their best judgment when determining whether or not your pet is in danger or distress. If they reasonably believe that your pet is in danger or distress, they can break into your car, if necessary, to secure your animal. If you cannot be reached after they have retrieved your pet, they will have a written note on your car letting you know that they have taken possession of your pet.
If you are found to be in violation of this ordinance, you could be cited with a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable per the Florida Statutes.
It’s against the law in any season.
Florida can still be toasty in October, when everyone else in the U.S. is sipping on their hot beverages and watching the leaves change color. The average high in October is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the low falls around 60 degrees.
Not only is it dangerous to leave a child or pet in your car unsupervised, but it is also illegal. A new bill recently passed in Florida mandates that car owners can’t leave a child under the age of 6 in their motor vehicle for more than 15 minutes. It’s important to note that the vehicle’s engine should not be running.
Woman accused of leaving 4 dogs to die in car in Florida
As the summer weather begins to heat up, more Florida residents are looking for outdoor activities that can keep them entertained and help them cool down. However, since many Floridians choose to travel and take car trips across the state with their pets, it is essential that these animals have as much protection from the sun as possible.
There are a variety of dangerous consequences that come with leaving your dog alone in a hot car, especially during a Florida summer when the temperatures can reach the triple digits. If you are a dog owner or a concerned citizen who hopes to learn whether there are existing laws in Florida that can protect domesticated pets who have been locked in hot cars, take a look below.