A Nassau County woman recently found herself in a situation many dog owners dread after accidentally locking her keys inside her vehicle with her dog.
The dog was safely rescued by deputies and was not injured, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. The incident comes as June marks National Pet Preparedness Month and as Florida enters its hottest months of the year.
“Even on days that don’t feel extremely hot, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly and become dangerous for pets in a matter of minutes,” Sheriff Bill Leeper said in a Facebook post.
The incident raises a question many pet owners may not know how to answer until it happens: What should you do if your dog becomes trapped inside a vehicle?
What should pet owners do if their dog becomes trapped inside a car?
The first step is getting help as quickly as possible.
According to the sheriff’s office, pet owners who accidentally lock a dog inside a vehicle should contact law enforcement, roadside assistance or a locksmith immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, owners should monitor their pet for signs of distress.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says the temperature inside a vehicle can increase by nearly 20 degrees in just 10 minutes and by nearly 30 degrees within 20 minutes. After an hour, temperatures inside a vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature.
As temperatures rise, dogs can quickly develop heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke. AMVA recommends watching for the following signs:
Signs of heatstroke in dogs
- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
If a dog appears to be suffering from heatstroke, seek veterinary care immediately.
What if you see someone else’s dog locked inside a car?
Florida provides legal protections for people who enter a vehicle to rescue a vulnerable person or domestic animal under certain circumstances.
Under Florida Statute 768.139, a person may enter a vehicle to remove a domestic animal if they reasonably believe it is in imminent danger of suffering harm. The law requires several conditions to be met, including determining the vehicle is locked, contacting law enforcement or 911 before entering the vehicle or immediately afterward, using no more force than necessary and remaining with the animal in a safe location until first responders arrive.
The statute provides immunity from civil liability for damage resulting from the rescue if those requirements are met.
What else should be included in a pet emergency plan?
Pet Preparedness Month is observed each June to encourage pet owners to prepare for emergencies involving their animals.
According to FEMA, a basic pet emergency kit should include several days’ worth of food and water, medications, veterinary records, current identification information, a leash or carrier, and recent photos of the animal.
FEMA also recommends that owners identify pet-friendly shelters, hotels or boarding facilities before an emergency occurs, as not all evacuation shelters accept animals.
