Is there some way we, as sympathetic dog lovers, can break into a car to rescue an overheated pet and not get into trouble? If you live in the following states, you could very well become the hero we know you are…

With the recent news of a Georgia man’s arrest post window-smashing pup rescue, that’s a question on many citizens’ minds. How can you help a dog in distress in a locked car on a hot day? Even a mild 70 degrees can turn into a scalding 90 degrees in a car with closed windows after just 10 minutes. Are there laws in place to protect these hot dogs in need?

In many states there are no hard-and-fast rules on the legality of leaving a dog unattended in a vehicle, although offenders can (and frequently do) face animal cruelty charges. But 16 pawsome states do have specific “hot car” laws! The Animal Legal & Historical Center reports that these pupactive states have statutes that specifically prohibit leaving an animal in a confined vehicle.

1. Arizona : A.R.S. § 13-2910

2. California: Cal. Penal Code § 597.7

3. Illinois: 510 ILCS 70/7.

4. Maine: 7 MRSA § 4019

5. Maryland : MD Code, Transportation § 21-1004.

6. Minnesota: M.S.A. § 346.57

7. North Carolina: NC ST § 14-363.3

8. Nevada: N.R.S. 574.195

9. New Hampshire: N.H. Rev. Stat. 644:8-aa

10. New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 4:22-26c

11. New York: NY Agri. & Mkts. § 353-d

12. North Dakota: NDCC ST 36-21.1-03.1

13. Rhode Island: 2014-S 2312A

14. South Dakota: S D C L § 40-1-36

15. Vermont: 13 V.S.A. § 386

16. West Virginia : W. Va. Code, § 61-8-19E

Now granted, they are not going to allow everyone to break car windows no matter what. That could set a dangerous precedent. You will have to call 911 afterwards, remain with the car and dog, and we’re sure paperwork will be involved. However, this is a wonderful forward stride for dog lovers and the rights of animals.

Thank you BarkPost for imparting this important and ground-breaking news!