In Dedham, Massachusetts, local authorities are warning pet owners not to leave dogs in cold cars. Dedham Animal Control issued the warning after handling several cases, including one where the temperature dropped to 18 degrees while the owner was shopping nearby, as stated by Boston.com.
Massachusetts law states, "A person shall not confine an animal in a motor vehicle in a manner that could reasonably be expected to threaten the health of the animal due to exposure to extreme heat or cold." Due to recent incidents, Dedham Animal Control is considering citing pet owners under this law. The law also allows people to break into a car to rescue an animal under certain conditions, as reported by Boston.com.
Dedham authorities warn that leaving pets in cold cars can lead to hypothermia or death, as cars can trap frigid air. They state, "Heat, remote starts, climate controls, 'it was just for a few minutes' - are often just as inexcusable to us in winter as they are in summer." Animal control also encourages the public to report any concerns, saying, "if you’re out and ‘you see something, say something’," since pets are not equipped to handle extreme cold, according to CBS News Boston and Boston.com
