First responders and animal welfare investigators are sounding the alarm again as summer temperatures rise: no child or animal should ever be left in a car, even for a short period. Last year, Denver Animal Protection received 450 calls regarding pets left in hot cars, and inspectors have already responded to 130 calls since the beginning of 2024.
Denver recently hit a record high temperature for June 12, emphasizing the dangers of leaving pets in vehicles. Studies show that the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in less than 20 minutes on a warm day, which can cause pets to die of heat stroke within minutes. Animal welfare advocates use the slogan, “If you love them, leave them at home,” to urge pet owners to consider the risks.
“People are just making bad choices,” Lt. Josh Rolfe of Denver Animal Protection told FOX31.
Common Locations for Emergency Calls
Many emergency calls originate from parking lots at golf courses, the Denver Zoo, the Downtown Aquarium, and other places where pets are not allowed. Despite these restrictions, some owners insist on bringing their animals and leaving them in the car. “The vehicle’s in direct sunlight and it’s not on and being air-conditioned. Even with the windows cracked, it can become an emergency situation,” Rolfe explained.
Often, pet owners lose track of time, thinking they’ll be quick. “They think they’re just going to run into the store for a quick snack or a bite to eat or get their Starbucks. Then there’s a line, and before they know it, they’ve been in there for 15, 20 minutes, and their animal is left in the vehicle,” Rolfe said.
Misconceptions About Separation Anxiety
One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that taking pets along in the car helps with separation anxiety. “Leaving the animal in the vehicle is not solving separation anxiety. It almost makes it worse than just leaving the animal at home,” Rolfe noted.
Good Samaritan Law for Pets in Hot Cars
Denver’s Good Samaritan law provides legal immunity for those who break a car window to save an animal, under certain conditions:
- You must believe the animal is in imminent danger.
- The vehicle must be locked.
- You need to make an effort to find the vehicle owner.
- Contact police, the fire department, or Denver Animal Protection and stay at the scene until responders arrive.
Additional Legal Risks
It is illegal to let pets ride in the back of a pickup truck, where they can be sunburned or burned by the metal. Offenders can be charged with animal cruelty and face a fine of up to $999 and 300 days in jail. Denver Animal Protection has also received 277 complaints about animals without proper shade or water.
Pet owners are urged to take these warnings seriously to prevent tragic outcomes. Remember, “If you love them, leave them at home.”
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