Dogs In Hot Cars: Avoid Dangerous, Deadly Outcomes

ACROSS ILLINOIS — A heat wave has hit Illinois, and with the high, hot temperatures comes conditions that can also be harmful for animals, not just humans. Pet insurance provider Petplan is warning everyone that as the temperatures rise outside, they also increase inside a car. Do not leave an animal, especially a dog, or a human inside a car during the warm-weather season, as it takes just minutes for the car to become increasingly hot.

According to Petplan, here's how long it takes for these outside Fahrenheit temperatures to increase to even hotter temperatures.

85 degrees: At 10 minutes, the inside of a car will reach 104 degrees; 119 degrees at 30 minutes.

90 degrees: At 10 minutes, the inside of a car will reach 109 degrees; 124 degrees at 30 minutes.

95 degrees: At 10 minutes, the inside of a car will reach 114 degrees; 129 degrees at 30 minutes.

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Petplan also says even if you park in the shade or leave windows open, this will have little effect on how the temperatures will continue to soar inside. Even in 70 to 80-degree weather, temperatures inside a car will rise above 100 degrees inside a vehicle.

Animal rights proponents argue that every second counts when a dog is locked in a hot vehicle. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a car can increase by nearly 20 degrees within just 10 minutes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF).

PETA stresses that an animal can suffer brain damage or die within 15 minutes of being left in a car with elevated temperatures.

If you're thinking, "Oh, I can just break the car windows open to rescue the dog," you might want to keep reading.

>> Saving Dogs In Hot Cars: Bill Would Protect Good Samaritans

Patch reported in April that in Illinois, it's illegal for a pet owner to leave an animal unattended in a hot car, but it's also illegal for a Good Samaritan to break a car window in an attempt to save that animal from the hot car.

A bill sponsored by Rep. David Olsen (R-Downers Grove) that would change the current law to protect citizens from civil liability if they shatter a car window in an attempt to rescue an animal. Olsen's bill would permit a Good Samaritan to break a window to rescue an animal "in imminent danger of suffering harm" after making attempts to contact emergency services.

As written, the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act currently allows for "an animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department Investigator" to enter a car in which they feel an animal is in danger. As a result, law enforcement has urged people to call police if they see an animal locked in a hot or cold car.

The bill was placed on the legislative calendar for a second reading.

Make sure to take care of yourself and others this summer, especially when temperatures rise, by visiting redcross.org for details including tips on treating heat-related illnesses.

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