As temperatures continue to climb, Animal Care of Davis County reminds pet owners that leaving a pet in conditions that endanger its health or life—including a hot car—is extremely dangerous and considered animal cruelty in Utah.
When a vehicle is not running, the interior temperature rapidly increases—even if the windows are cracked/down and/or the car is parked in the shade. In just 10 minutes, the vehicle’s internal temperature can spike by 20 degrees. When it is 70 degrees outside, the inside vehicle temperature quickly jumps to 90 degrees. Within 30 minutes, on a 70-degree day, vehicle temperatures can exceed 110 degrees, creating dangerous and even life-threatening conditions for any person or animal left inside.
“Hot cars kill pets and we fully intend to enforce our zero-tolerance policy and state law to protect pets from dangerous vehicle temperatures,” said Animal Care of Davis County Director Michelle Hicks. “Be cool, not cruel. Leave your pets at home while running errands. A quick trip to the grocery store is never worth risking the life of your pet.”
The “Be Cool, Not Cruel’ message will be shared on social media (@acdcpets) to reach as many people as possible.
Pets experiencing heatstroke may exhibit excessive panting, thick drool, vomiting, lethargy, or unresponsiveness. These symptoms can quickly lead to permanent brain damage or death. Anyone who sees a pet in distress inside a vehicle should immediately contact your local law enforcement agency. Be prepared to provide the vehicle’s make, model, license plate, and exact location. Community members should not break vehicle windows or intervene directly.
When an Animal Care of Davis County officer responds to a call involving an animal in a car and the outdoor temperature is 70 degrees or higher, the owner will be cited with a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
Before issuing a citation, officers will verify whether the vehicle’s climate control system (such as an electric vehicle’s ‘Dog Mode’) is actively operating, provided the animal is not showing signs of distress.
Dogs most at risk are older, overweight, larger breeds, double-coated, and flat-faced breeds.
About Animal Care of Davis County: Animal Care of Davis County is a “Socially Conscious Shelter” dedicated to providing compassionate care to animals and professional service to the citizens of Davis County. Our mission is to support public safety, find homes for homeless pets, and educate the community about responsible pet ownership. For more information about our shelter, please visit daviscountyutah.gov/animalcare or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/acdcpets.
