Leaving dogs in car.

[margaritaville]

As long as it's not too warm and when you can see them I think it's acceptable. Personally, I never do it because my door locks and window controls are on my console and they open and close the windows and unlock the doors. The only time I left them and ran into a store I found the window down when I came out. I almost had a heart attack. I thought I was going out of my mind as I was positive I had closed the windows except for a small crack and locked the doors. Then I found out what those little buggers could do.

[Marla]

In Boulder, Colorado it's illegal now to leave your dog in the car, because of the heat dangers. I think other places may be following their lead.

I've had to do it when traveling alone with my dog, like to run into the gas station to go to the bathroom. But I do try to minimize it because Yorkies are such a huge theft risk. I mean, you wouldn't leave a $1000 on the seat in view? That's what some people see.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by alisonJ

I believe it is illegal in AZ to leave dogs in a car here anytime.

You are right - it is illegal in Arizona to leave dogs in the car or in a pickup truck bed. In Tucson the cops responded immediately to a phone call and would break car windows to get the animals out.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

You are right - it is illegal in Arizona to leave dogs in the car or in a pickup truck bed. In Tucson the cops responded immediately to a phone call and would break car windows to get the animals out.

But, I can't seem to figure out if it's illegal in PHOENIX. I had a terrible encounter yesterday in a parking lot with a man. It was 97 degrees here. He went into PETSMART (of ALL places), left his dog in the car - w/ windows cracked 1/2 inch. I walked into store - told clerk I was going to break his window or call the cops - she said she'd use the loudspeaker. I went outside to watch the dog. I was FREAKING out, shaking. 5 minutes pass (at least, I think they did) - I go back in. Clerk points at man checking out - indicating it's his dog. I go outside and wait for him. When he exits, I basically lose it. He could CARE LESS. Total DENIAL of any danger whatsoever. I was so upset, I didn't have the presence of mind to write down his license. I should've just called the cops immediately.

[livingdustmops]

Let me see if I can find the law. When I lived in Tucson I had cards I carried around to put on windshields which listed the law.

[alisonJ]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

But, I can't seem to figure out if it's illegal in PHOENIX. I had a terrible encounter yesterday in a parking lot with a man. It was 97 degrees here. He went into PETSMART (of ALL places), left his dog in the car - w/ windows cracked 1/2 inch. I walked into store - told clerk I was going to break his window or call the cops - she said she'd use the loudspeaker. I went outside to watch the dog. I was FREAKING out, shaking. 5 minutes pass (at least, I think they did) - I go back in. Clerk points at man checking out - indicating it's his dog. I go outside and wait for him. When he exits, I basically lose it. He could CARE LESS. Total DENIAL of any danger whatsoever. I was so upset, I didn't have the presence of mind to write down his license. I should've just called the cops immediately.

I think if you call the Phx humane society they will know....

[livingdustmops]

http://www.animallaw.com/LawSearch_Result.cfm
State of Arizona
13-2910. Cruelty to animals; interference with working or service animal; classification; definitions
A. A person commits cruelty to animals if the person does any of the following:
1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment.
2. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly fails to provide medical attention necessary to prevent protracted suffering to any animal under the person's custody or control.
3. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly inflicts unnecessary physical injury to any animal.
4. Recklessly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.
5. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly kills any animal under the custody or control of another person without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.
6. Recklessly interferes with, kills or harms a working or service animal without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.
7. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly leaves an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle and physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result.
8. Intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect or abandonment that results in serious physical injury to the animal.
9. Intentionally or knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.
10. Intentionally or knowingly interferes with, kills or harms a working or service animal without either legal privilege or consent of the owner.
11. Intentionally or knowingly allows any dog that is under the person's custody or control to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service animal.
12. Recklessly allows any dog that is under the person's custody or control to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service animal.
13. Intentionally or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over a service animal with the intent to deprive the service animal handler of the service animal.
B. It is a defense to subsection A of this section if:
1. Any person exposes poison to be taken by a dog that has killed or wounded livestock or poison to be taken by predatory animals on premises owned, leased or controlled by the person for the purpose of protecting the person or the person's livestock or poultry, and the treated property is kept posted by the person who authorized or performed the treatment until the poison has been removed, and the poison is removed by the person exposing the poison after the threat to the person, or the person's livestock or poultry has ceased to exist. The posting required shall provide adequate warning to persons who enter the property by the point or points of normal entry. The warning notice that is posted shall be readable at a distance of fifty feet, shall contain a poison statement and symbol and shall state the word "danger" or "warning".
2. Any person uses poisons in and immediately around buildings owned, leased or controlled by the person for the purpose of controlling wild and domestic rodents as otherwise allowed by the laws of the state, excluding any fur-bearing animals as defined in section 17-101.
C. This section does not prohibit or restrict:
1. The taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by or pursuant to title 17.
2. Activities permitted by or pursuant to title 3.
3. Activities regulated by the Arizona game and fish department or the Arizona department of agriculture.
D. A peace officer, animal control enforcement agent or animal control enforcement deputy may use reasonable force to open a vehicle to rescue an animal if the animal is left in the vehicle as prescribed in subsection A, paragraph 7 of this section.
E. A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection A, paragraph 6 or 10 of this section is liable as follows:
1. If the working or service animal was killed or disabled, to the owner or agency that owns the working or service animal and that employs the handler or to the owner or handler for the replacement and training costs of the working or service animal and for any veterinary bills.
2. To the owner or agency that owns a working or service animal for the salary of the handler for the period of time that the handler's services are lost to the owner or agency.
3. To the owner for the owner's contractual losses with the agency.
F. An incorporated city or town or a county may adopt an ordinance with misdemeanor provisions at least as stringent as the misdemeanor provisions of this section.
G. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 12 of this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. A person who violates subsection A, paragraph 8, 9, 10, 11 or 13 of this section is guilty of a class 6 felony.
H. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Animal" means a mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.
2. "Cruel mistreatment" means to torture or otherwise inflict unnecessary serious physical injury upon an animal or to kill an animal in a manner that causes protracted suffering to the animal.
3. "Cruel neglect" means to fail to provide an animal with necessary food, water or shelter.
4. "Handler" means a law enforcement officer or any other person who has successfully completed a course of training prescribed by the person's agency or the service animal owner and who used a specially trained animal under the direction of the person's agency or the service animal owner.
5. "Service animal" means an animal that has completed a formal training program, that assists its owner in one or more daily living tasks that are associated with a productive lifestyle and that is trained to not pose a danger to the health and safety of the general public.
6. "Working animal" means a horse or dog that is used by a law enforcement agency, that is specially trained for law enforcement work and that is under the control of a handler.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

7. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly leaves an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle and physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result.

So, really then - I could call 911 and they'd technically have to come - if I'm reading this correctly. Wow. Thanks for this.

[livingdustmops]

That is what they did in Tucson. That guy was an idiot leaving the dog in the car when it was 97 degree's outside the car, especially since he could have taken his dog into Petsmart.

I don't know if you remember about the cop who left his dog in the car and it died and they arrested him so hopefully they will respond.

Here is another website you might want to save:

Phoenix FAQ - Animal Defense League of Arizona
Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern Arizona: Laws

[mscat]

I feel like it was a risk to your animals, and it is not worth the chance of something hsppenning to them.
I would not ever leave my animals in the car alone. I see people doing it all the time, and have heard the dog's cries. It is a risk that I would never take.