Dogs in Cars

The incident in August of a dog being left in a pickup truck parked in the sun on the upper level of the CMH parking garage in 90 degree heat inspired Alderman Rich Volo (Fourth Ward) to suggest, at the Common Council Legal Committee meeting on Wednesday, that the City of Hudson adopt its own law regarding leaving dogs in cars in extreme heat or extreme cold. Currently state law dictates the punishment for leaving dogs unattended in cars in dangerous conditions: a fine of from $50 to $100 for the first offense. Volo wants the City of Hudson to adopt its own law with a higher fine: from $250 to $500 for a first offense. He also suggested that the City might donate the money from the increased fines to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society.

The New York State law regarding pets in cars can be found here. The first item in the law reads:

A person shall not confine a companion animal in a motor vehicle in extreme heat or cold without proper ventilation or other protection from such extreme temperatures where such confinement places the companion animal in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury due to exposure to such extreme heat or cold.

The second reads:

Where the operator of such a vehicle cannot be promptly located, a police office, peace officer, or peace officer acting as an agent of a duly incorporated humane society may take necessary steps to remove the animal or animals from the vehicle.

The following chart provides important information for those with dogs who enjoy outings in the car about how hot it can get inside a car--and how quickly it happens--when it is 70 degrees or warmer outside. 

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