Florida saw two incidents last week involving dogs left sweltering in hot cars.
A puppy was rescued from a hot car in Lady Lake on May 16, with officers determining it had been left in the vehicle for roughly 40 minutes.
According to FOX 35, the outside temperature was 92 degrees, and the puppy was in direct sunlight with no shade; her tongue “belled out” and extended. She was crying and scratching at the window, trying to escape, officers said.
Watch as police in Florida rescue a dog from a hot car in Lady Lake, Florida
The dog’s owner, identified as Yeneese Morejon, 26, was arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail for animal cruelty charges.
Panama City woman arrested for leaving dog in hot car
Days later, up in the Panhandle, a 22-year-old Panama City woman was arrested on May 19 after allegedly leaving her dog in a hot car for five hours. According to My Panhandle, the temperature was approximately 86 degrees, and officers found the distressed dog panting with no water.
Officers said the dog’s owner, Rebekah Hooks, 22, was allegedly in a military recruiting office in the same plaza for five hours. She was arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
What if you spot a dog trapped in a hot car? Are you allowed to smash a window? Here’s what to know.
Is it illegal to leave a dog in a hot car in Florida?
Florida’s animal cruelty definition also applies to anyone who “carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner.”
Violations result in first-degree misdemeanor charges, penalties and/or fines of up to $5,000 for the first offense. Second and subsequent offenses carry a mandatory minimum fine of $5,000 and at least 6 months in jail, without the option of parole or any form of early release.
What should I do if I see a dog locked in a hot car?
If you see a dog locked in a car, first check whether it is in distress. Is the air conditioning on? Just a cracked window may not be enough in Florida. Is the driver nearby, or can they be quickly found? Has the dog been there for longer than a few minutes? Don’t immediately assume a dog in a car is in trouble; the owner might already be running back.
If the dog is clearly suffering and the owner cannot be located, call 911 or a nearby law enforcement officer for help and forcibly enter the vehicle if instructed to do so. Be sure to have a leash, belt, purse strap, or other way to secure the dog once you’ve freed it.
Florida law protects people who break into vehicles to rescue pets or vulnerable people from harm from liability for damages, as long as:
Signs of heatstroke in dogs
If a dog is overheated and left untreated, it can be fatal. These are the signs of heat stress and heatstroke in dogs, according to the AKC.
If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, get them somewhere cool, provide cool water and call your veterinarian immediately. You can run cool water over them or put a cool, wet towel on their body.
Heatstroke in dogs is especially dangerous for breeds with short noses and flat faces, according to the American Kennel Club. That’s pugs, boxers, bulldogs, Boston Terriers and French bulldogs (and pit bulls, although the AKC doesn’t recognize that as a breed).
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Watch video of police in Florida rescuing a puppy from a hot car
Reporting by Samantha Neely and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
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