Can You Break A Window of a Car Where a Dog is Trapped Inside on a Hot Day?
Illinois fortunately is one of sixteen states that laws on the books to protect animals left in cars or trucks on hot days, but unfortunately, the law does not allow you to break a window of a car where the dogs in distress due to the heat
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, we will all start hearing more stories of dog owners leaving their dogs locked in their vehicle on a hot day with the windows rolled up.
This past week, the internet has been buzzing with a story that says that 'police' are now saying if you see a dog locked in a car in hot weather, you can take a picture of the dog and the car. If you have someone with you, or another witness, you can call up a weather app on a smartphone that displays the current temperature, take a screen shot of the temperature reading. then break the window of the car to let the dog out.
By doing this, you 'supposedly' will not be charged with criminal damage and it gives the police photo evidence to take the dog owners to court.
Sorry, this is not the law in Illinois. The only individuals who are permitted to do this are animal control officers, law enforcement officers, or department investigators.
Illinois law, under animal confinement in motor vehicle, states that:
No owner or person shall confine any animal in a motor vehicle in such a manner that places it in a life or health threatening situation by exposure to a prolonged period of extreme heat or cold, without proper ventilation or other protection from such heat or cold. In order to protect the health and safety of an animal, an animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department investigator who has probable cause to believe that this Section is being violated shall have authority to enter such motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible.
A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation is a Class B misdemeanor.
I don't know about you, but I think this is something that lawmakers should consider putting into the law. Your thoughts?
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