Do you know your city's law about dogs in hot cars?

[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

We have good law enforcement here, but I also doubt a dog in a car is something they really care about. There are dogs in cars here all the time. It's very sad.

I used to leave Ellie alone in the car. Never again. Not worth it. She LOVES to go on rides, but it is not safe for her. If she can't go in, then she doesn't go or somebody waits in the car with her. As scary as hot weather is for dogs in cars, theft is a huge issue. We live in an okay area of the state (in fact, fairly safe) and it takes less than 3 minutes for somebody to spot a cell phone in a car window and break the window to steal it (then get out of site). There are dog theft issues in SE MI just like everywhere else in the US. So I don't think it would be unlikely for somebody to break a window to steal a Yorkie even if owner is gone for less than 5 minutes. I won't take the risk.

Unfortunately, pets rank pretty low here too.
I have taken Maddie with me before but don't anymore. It is not worth the risk. People will do anything to make a quick buck. My friend had her dog stole from her yard by someone who later collected the reward. What's breaking a window to someone who thinks they can make a few hundred dollars. Just not worth the risk.

[Ellie May]

People sit and wait and watch for things to steal out of cars. It was GPS here awhile back. Yorkies from yards about a year ago not far from here.. My girl stays home.

[Princess10]

I ran into the store for a second today & the mini-van we pulled up to had a large labrodoodle (i think) in it with the front windows cracked about 2 inches. The store was packed so I just waited a minute inside to see if someone went out soon & or I should have them paged. She went out a few minutes later. Stupid me, I did not know what to do other than confront her & with the day I'm having that's not a good idea.
So when I got home I called the non-em. police & asked the dispatcher what the protocol is for such things.
She said it depended on the weather & how long it occurred for, get this: for a dog or a CHILD! She said "if they're just running in for a 6 pk. or something then don't call! But if they're in some where for 5-6 hours I can call" I told her it was 89 degrees at the time & the car must have been hotter than hell, she agreed & said I can take the plate down & call. Either she doesn't know what's going on or P.D. doesn't really care. Sad either way.

[Ellie May]

That's crazy.

Leaving Kids In Car Would Be Misdemeanor in Michigan

Unless this passed, a child would have to be hurt for legal action to be taken. I guess it's legal to keep kids in cars here.

Michigan is nice in that we aren't legislated to death in a lot of areas, but there are disadvantages.