Dogs in the car - new bill SSB5501

[Colin]

So a coworker had a little incident at work today where the cops were called about his dogs in the car. Turns out there is a new bill that allows law enforcment or animal control the ability to remove animals from harmful situations without a warrant. I mean don't get me wrong this seems well intentioned but how do they determine if the animal is really at risk. I take my dog to work everyday from 530 am to 2 or 3pm. Park in the shade of the building until about noon and then the broad leaf tree that I also park next to keeps most of the sun off the truck from then on. Have a windshield sun screen, a 14 foot by 12 foot breathable mesh reflective tarp for the hot days and a 12 volt box fan that I turn on in the afternoons. We train or go for a walk in the AM and then he gets let out and water refilled every 2 hrs as well as a 30 mins walk at lunch...

I'm a graduate of the UW college of engineering so I understand perfectly well the dynamics of a car heating up in the sun on a hot day and think I have taken all measures to ensure my pup is safe and healthy at all times. I know the signs of dehydration and overheating in a dog. I have read how to properly cool a dog in case of overheating. I check the NOAA website each morning and if it's too hot I leave my little guy at home.

Any thoughts on this new bill? Anything I can do better? BTW it doesn't actually go into effect until the 24th of this month. The bill number is SSB5501 and I contacted the state legislature as well as the local police and animal control to obtain a definition of how I should know it's too hot per the law and nothing as of yet. Hoping to hear from animal control tomorrow.

Idk this kind of bothered me thinking that someone could just break into my truck to save my dog then send him to a shelter where he would be euthanized if he wasn't adopted in 15 days... ugh. All based on an officer or animal control agent who may or may not be very educated in the symptoms of overheating.

[Colin]

Idk am I wrong on this? It's really been bugging me all day.

[JimmyHoffa]

There was a post on this a few months ago.  See if I can find it.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,173901.msg2298745.html#msg2298745

[CAMPMEAT]

What is perceived by you and someone else, would be a tough nut to crack. If you are a responsible dog owner, you might be safe. BUT, you're always guilty, until proven innocent in these days.

[Colin]

Thanks Jimmy! Read that thread just now. I feel like no one is more concerned with the temps in the car more than me. I've gone to great lengths to ensure that my pup is safe. It just really really bugs me that if a complaint is made the PD or Animal Control must investigate. I don't resent or blame the law enforcment agent I blame the person who calls this in to complain. It was 10 am and the cops apparently showed up and left say g that there was no problem with the situation at that time. They told the building manager they would return to check on the situation later in the day. Idk what was the end result today bc by the time they likely came back I was already on my way home at 2 pm before the hottest part of the day.

[Colin]

I know this is going to become an issue bc I let my dog out every 2 hrs and people will see me with my dog and basically call the police as a concerned citizen. Ugh... hopefully I can make contact with the local law and introduce myself and show my setup and explain. The precautions that are being taken.

[JimmyHoffa]

could maybe get one of those little digital thermometers like RadioShack has ($5?) and leave it close to a window so do-gooders  can see that it isn't 'broiling' in there. ??

[Colin]

could maybe get one of those little digital thermometers like RadioShack has ($5?) and leave it close to a window so do-gooders  can see that it isn't 'broiling' in there. ??

I like that idea. Gives me another way to ensure its not getting too hot also.

[JimmyHoffa]

could maybe get one of those little digital thermometers like RadioShack has ($5?) and leave it close to a window so do-gooders  can see that it isn't 'broiling' in there. ??

I like that idea. Gives me another way to ensure its not getting too hot also.

I think cheaper and no batteries might be to get the little paste on versions that fish tanks use.

[zike]

Here's an idea to keep your dog cool or your tent or van.

https://eplaya.burningman.com/viewtopic.php?t=33842

[csaaphill]

To me it's just another excuse to forgo the protection of the Bill of rights.

[Bango skank]

Everybody seems to be against this.  About 15 years ago i pulled into a parking spot and saw a dog foaming at the mouth looking desperate in the car next to me.  Hot summer day, all the windows rolled up.  Dont care what you say, that little dude was dying.  All because his owners were *censored*bags.  You werent there so dont even argue it.  If i didnt break a window id have a hard time sleeping at night even to this day.  I feel there is room for good samaritan laws, to a certain extent.  Im done on this subject

[Colin]

Here's an idea to keep your dog cool or your tent or van.

https://eplaya.burningman.com/viewtopic.php?t=33842

That's pretty smart... might just make one for $h!ts and giggles.

[huntingbaldguy]

I won't do it.  My wife and i have gotten in arguments over it, i won't leave the dog in the car if it's 70 out, i don't care how shady the parking spot is, or ventilated the car is.  I don't want someone to walk by and break my window trying to be captain planet, and today it's the appearance of a panting dog in a car that would make that happen.  I'm not paying for a new window and i sure as hell am not going to get my dog taken away.

If you're responsible, that's great, but some liberal loony isn't going to look at it that way.  They will call the cops and you will get a bill and lose your best friend and maybe even get slapped with animal cruelty charges, regardless of if it's true or not.  That is just my opinion.

[Colin]

I won't do it.  My wife and i have gotten in arguments over it, i won't leave the dog in the car if it's 70 out, i don't care how shady the parking spot is, or ventilated the car is.  I don't want someone to walk by and break my window trying to be captain planet, and today it's the appearance of a panting dog in a car that would make that happen.  I'm not paying for a new window and i sure as hell am not going to get my dog taken away.

If you're responsible, that's great, but some liberal loony isn't going to look at it that way.  They will call the cops and you will get a bill and lose your best friend and maybe even get slapped with animal cruelty charges, regardless of if it's true or not.  That is just my opinion.

I understand your view point, it's basically the same as my wifes. Why not just avoid the situation? It's a valid point but it's a valid point that if your not causing harm no one has the right to alter or infringe on my behavior. If the looney bin is full and the overflow are blocking me from going to my public land hunting spit I'm going to go by and hunt no matter what on principle alone. I see it that if I alter what I do based on harassment then I am condoning them to continue to do that.

Like Bango said there are times when this is a valid law. I have no issues with breaking a window and even paying to repair for it to be fixed if a dog is in jeopardy of death or serious harm. It's just that the law doesn't inform people wanting to make a complaint or people wanting to avoid having a dangerous situation occur with their pet.

I mean a kid can drown in an inch of water does that mean we should pass a law that says your kids will get taken away if you aren't watching them close enough at the pool or lake? Then whenever anyone calls law enforcment because they think your not watching them close enough they have to respond to the call and assess the situation. So then because of this you stop taking your kids to the lake??? Obviously in the real world kid doesn't = dog but I think it elaborates on what I'm trying to say.