Here’s Why It’s Illegal to Do THIS With Your Dog in Arizona

Imagine sitting in a car in a parking lot. It's hot outside, about 80 degrees, and the car is off. The car windows are rolled down about an inch, allowing a little bit of precious air into the car, but the hot sun is blasting through the windows with an even greater force. How long would it take before you began sweating and gasping for air?

Imagine you can't open the car door because you don't have any thumbs. Because you're a dog.

Is It Illegal to Leave Your Pet in a Car in Arizona?

There's nothing I love more than spending time with my dogs. I wish I could take them everywhere, but it's not practical.

When I take my dogs to town with me, we have a very dog-centric experience. We go to the pet store and the dog park and finish the day with a pup cup. I'm with them the entire time.

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I never leave my dogs in the car unattended. I bring a family member if I need to take a side quest. They stay in the car with the dogs - with the air conditioner running - during the short, non-dog-friendly stop. And we keep it short.

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How Fast Do Cars Heat Up in Arizona?

In Arizona, it can get hot inside a parked car, and it can happen fast. Outside, 85°F is tolerable. In a car, temperatures can reach 104°F in 10 minutes and 119°F within 30 minutes.

The sudden, rapid rise can cause heatstroke, which begins when a pet's body temperature exceeds 103°F. Symptoms include heavy panting, vomiting, seizures, and even death.

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What Happens if You Leave Your Pet in a Hot Vehicle in Arizona

Leaving a pet unattended in a vehicle in Arizona is not only dangerous for your pet, it's also illegal. Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) § 13-2910 states that leaving a pet in a hot car can be considered animal cruelty.

Leaving a pet in a hot car is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $2,500 fine, and probation.

What Can You Do if You See a Dog in a Hot Car in Arizona?

If you see a dog left alone in a vehicle in Arizona, you can help. If the dog doesn't appear to be in distress, start by calling your local animal control or non-emergency police department line.

If the dog is succumbing to the heat, you can take matters into your own hands.

Arizona has a Good Samaritan law that lets bystanders break into a vehicle to rescue a pet in distress without legal consequences, but you have to follow these steps:

• If you see a pet in a locked car, call 911 or animal control immediately.
• Confirm the vehicle is locked.
• Notify authorities before breaking a window.
• Use only necessary force to enter the vehicle.
• Stay with the pet until help arrives.

Spread the word that leaving a pet in a hot car, even on a day that doesn't seem very hot, can impact a dog's health. Don't risk it - leave your dog at home and enjoy some quality time in a cool house instead.

Sources: 12 News | Lawshun | FindLaw | AZLeg