Hot Car Dangers: What You Can and Can’t Do to Help Pets in Illinois

Seeing a dog locked in a hot car is infuriating, but before you reach for something to break the window to get the dog out there are some important things you need to know if you live in Illinois.

Summer Safety Reminders

As Northern Illinois braces for the possibility of hitting 90 degrees for the first time this year, I think it's time for some summer safety reminders:

• Stay hydrated.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Keep a close eye on outdoor animals and neighbors without air conditioning.

Yes, those three reminders should be common sense by now, but it never hurts to mention them again.

Here's another summer safety tip that needs to be mentioned again:

DON'T LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS LOCKED IN A CAR ON A HOT DAY!

As a dog owner, it boggles my mind the amount of dogs I see sitting in hot cars in store parking lots each summer. Sure, dogs love going for rides, but if you need to go somewhere your dog can't go too, leave them at HOME, not in your car, (unless you leave the air conditioner running). It makes me SO MAD!

Is It Illegal to Break a Car Window to Rescue an Animal in Illinois?

When it comes to a life or death situation, you would think breaking someone's car window to free an animal from a hot car would be an exception, but in Illinois it is NOT.

According to an article from the Illinois State Bar Association;

Although a person might feel that it's worth taking the risk to save the dog, smashing in someone's car window constitutes Criminal Damage to Property.

There is no exception for 'good intentions, and if the property damage exceeds $300 - likely in the case of a broken car window - the crime is a Class 4 felony.

Only police, public safety, or animal control officers can legally break into a car to save an animal in Illinois, so if you encounter a situation like this, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY and stay with the dog until help arrives.