🚗 Dogs in Hot Cars Laws by State 51 states · checked October 28, 2026

14 Law in place — bystanders may rescue19 Law in place — only officials may rescue18 No specific state law

StateStatusWhat the law says
Alabama No specific state law Alabama has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Alaska No specific state law Alaska has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Arizona Law in place — bystanders may rescue Arizona protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
A.R.S. § 13-2910; A.R.S. 12-558.02
Arkansas No specific state law Arkansas has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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California Law in place — bystanders may rescue California protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
Cal. Penal Code § 597.7; West's Ann.Cal.Civ.Code § 43.100
Colorado Law in place — bystanders may rescue Colorado protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
C.R.S.A. 13-21-108.4, C.R.S.A. 18-1-706.5
Connecticut Law in place — bystanders may rescue Connecticut protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
C. G. S. A. § 52-557u
Delaware Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Delaware. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
11 Del.C. § 1325(b)(6)
District of Columbia Law in place — only officials may rescue The District’s animal care law covers animals removed from vehicles by animal control officers, firefighters or police; a removed animal is impounded and given medical care if needed. There is no protection for bystanders who break in — call 911.
D.C. Act 22-137 (Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017)
Florida Law in place — bystanders may rescue Florida protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
West's F. S. A. § 768.139
Georgia Law in place — only officials may rescue Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
Ga. Code Ann., § 35-1-7
Hawaii No specific state law Hawaii has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Idaho No specific state law Idaho has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Illinois Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Illinois. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
510 ILCS 70/7.1
Indiana Law in place — bystanders may rescue Indiana protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. The rescuer may owe the owner half the cost of the damage.
I.C. 34-30-30-1 - 4
Iowa No specific state law Iowa has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
Kansas Law in place — bystanders may rescue Kansas protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
K. S. A. 60-5401
Kentucky No specific state law Kentucky has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Louisiana Law in place — bystanders may rescue Louisiana protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
LSA-R.S. 37:1738.1
Maine Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Maine. Only officials such as police, animal control, firefighters or licensed security guards are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
7 M. R. S. A. 4011; 7 MRSA § 4019
Maryland Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Maryland. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
MD Code, Transportation,§ 21-1004.1
Massachusetts Law in place — bystanders may rescue Massachusetts protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
M.G.L.A. 140 § 174F
Michigan No specific state law Michigan has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
Minnesota Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Minnesota. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
M.S.A. § 346.57
Mississippi No specific state law Mississippi has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Missouri No specific state law Missouri has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Montana No specific state law Montana has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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Nebraska No specific state law Nebraska has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
Nevada Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Nevada. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
N.R.S. 574.195
New Hampshire Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in New Hampshire. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
N.H. Rev. Stat. 644:8-aa
New Jersey Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in New Jersey. The law has no specific rescue provision for bystanders — call 911 or animal control if you see an animal in distress.
N.J.S.A. 4:22-26 (subsection (c)); NJSA 4:22-17.4(a); NJSA 4:22-17.5(c)(3); NJSA 4:22-17.7(b)
New Mexico No specific state law New Mexico has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
New York Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in New York. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
NY Agri. & Mkts. § 353-d
North Carolina Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in North Carolina. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
N.C.G.S.A. § 14-363.3
North Dakota Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in North Dakota. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
NDCC, 36-21.2-12
Ohio Law in place — bystanders may rescue Ohio protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
R.C. § 959.133
Oklahoma No specific state law Oklahoma has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
Oregon Law in place — bystanders may rescue Oregon protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
O. R. S. § 30.813
Pennsylvania Law in place — only officials may rescue Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 8340.3
Rhode Island Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Rhode Island. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
Gen. Laws, 1956, § 4-1-3.2
South Carolina No specific state law South Carolina has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
South Dakota Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in South Dakota. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
S D C L § 40-1-36
Tennessee Law in place — bystanders may rescue Tennessee protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
T. C. A. § 29-34-209
Texas No specific state law Texas has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
Utah No specific state law Utah has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
Official text
Vermont Law in place — bystanders may rescue Vermont protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
13 V.S.A. § 386; 12 V.S.A. § 5784
Virginia Law in place — only officials may rescue Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6504.1
Washington Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in Washington. Only officials such as police, animal control or firefighters are authorised to break in to rescue an animal; a bystander should call 911 rather than break a window.
RCWA 16.52.340
West Virginia Law in place — only officials may rescue Leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions is an offence in West Virginia. The law has no specific rescue provision for bystanders — call 911 or animal control if you see an animal in distress.
W. Va. Code, § 61-8-19
Wisconsin Law in place — bystanders may rescue Wisconsin protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives.
W. S. A. 895.484
Wyoming No specific state law Wyoming has no state law specifically about animals left in parked vehicles. Leaving a pet in a dangerous car can still be prosecuted as animal cruelty, and some cities have their own ordinances — if you see an animal in distress, call 911.
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