Attleboro Mayor Announces "Zero Tolerance" For Pets In Hot Cars

ATTLEBORO, MA — Attleboro Mayor Paul Herox announced new police and animal control policies that will fine people for leaving their pets inside a vehicles on hot days.

Fines will range based off the number of offenses:

• First Offense: $150
• Second Offense: $300
• Third Offense or more: $500

In an article with the Sun Chronicle, Herox said these incidents are happening too often. “There is absolutely no excuse for leaving an animal in a car," Herox said. "Anything over 70 degrees puts the animal in danger. Even if an animal doesn’t die, it is still cruel to do this. Even with windows left open a crack or even six inches, a car can still develop extreme heat inside.”

Data from the American Veterinary Medical Association's website confirms Herox's claim. As shown in the graph below, car temperatures can rise over 40 degrees in just one hour. Hovering over the interactive graph shows car temperature after one hour for different outside temperatures.

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