To spotlight the potential of having a pet die in a hot parked car and then having its guardian charged with animal cruelty, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer joined L.A. Animal Services General Manager Brenda Barnette on Tuesday to urge people not to leave their pets in parked cars.

Feuer also outlined steps people should take if they see a pet in danger in a parked car, and discussed the legal ramifications, including jail time for an animal’s guardian.

(photo courtesy of Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer’s Office)

“We’re here to prevent the needless tragedy of a beloved pet suffering or dying because its guardian thoughtlessly leaves their companion animal in a hot, parked car,” Feuer said. “The facts are so clear. It takes just 15 minutes for an animal to suffer brain damage when temperatures soar on a hot summer day in a parked vehicle. Cracking a window open doesn’t do nearly enough to cool your car down sufficiently. This isn’t only a health and safety issue for your pet, it’s a legal issue. Leaving your companion animal in a parked car in the heat of the day is against the law and can lead to serious animal cruelty charges, fines, even jail.”

Since a new law took effect in January, people are legally allowed to break into a parked car to remove an animal that appears to be in danger, but only after first calling 911 or Animal Services at (213)486-0450. If an animal’s guardian is found guilty of animal cruelty, the California Penal Code provides a tiered punishment system. A fine and infraction conviction is stipulated for first time offenders when no great bodily injury occurs to the animal. Repeat offenders and those involved in situations in which there is great bodily injury to an animal can be charged with a misdemeanor and can be sentenced to jail.

“It is up to us to make the safe decision for our furry friends. If you are not going to be able to take your dogs in with you every time you get out of the car, make the safe choice and leave him at home,” Barnette said. “A quick stop may feel like no time at all to you, but it’s too long to leave your pet in a vehicle unattended on a warm summer day. When it’s hot outside, even with the windows open, a parked car can become an oven in minutes and endanger the life of your pet.”