2018 Issue 4 Jul/Aug - Focus Mid-South Magazine

only can it lead to fatal heat
stroke, it is illegal in several
states (ASPCA)!
In any state, if you see an
unconscious animal in a car on
a warm day, break the window
(then follow the steps below
for unconscious animal). You
may face paying for repairs,
but you will probably save
the animal’s life. If the animal
is simply panting, call 911
so that the police can help
with finding the owner and/
or entering the vehicle.
Stay with the animal until
authorities arrive.
*GIVE AID. Using a water
bottle, slowly squirt water into
any opening in the windows
in hopes that the animal can
drink it.
Place cardboard, towels,
coats, umbrellas, etc. over
windshields and windows to
block the sun.
TENNESSEE’S LAW
In Tennessee, Good
Samaritans are allowed
to break car windows if
necessary if they see an
animal (or child) that is in a
car on a hot day. Here are the
steps to take based on the
Tennessee statute, and based
on basic animal compassion.
This is not meant to serve as
legal advice.
In any case, first call 911;
Second, see if the vehicle is
locked to determine if forcible
entry is necessary to prevent
the animal from imminent
harm;
Call out to QUICKLY enlist
the help of bystanders as
witnesses who can screenshot
the current temperature on
their phone’s weather app,
and videotape the rescue.
Videotaping is technically
not necessary in Tennessee,
but this would be further
protection in a court case.
(In any state), if the animal is
unconscious, having seizures,
or has vomited or had
diarrhea in the car, do this:
Break the window. This
may set off the car alarm
and frighten the animal. Be
prepared with barriers so that
a now-alert animal can’t bolt
out of the car.
Move the animal to shade if
possible to begin cooling the
animal. Do not lay the animal
on asphalt or concrete unless
there’s no other choice (use
a barrier such as cardboard,
coat or towel). Try to move
the animal to grass or dirt if
possible.
Have your witnesses put a
note on the car stating where
you are and that authorities
have been called. Ask your
witnesses to determine the
closest, open veterinary clinic.
Use cool water (not ice)
to pour over the animal;
offer small amounts of water
to drink every few minutes
(only if they are alert. Do
not try to pour water into an
unconscious animal’s mouth).
If the animal begins to
become alert, stay with the
animal in a safe location,
out of the elements, but
reasonably close to the
vehicle until the authorities
arrive. This animal will
still need to be sent for an
emergency exam.
If the animal does not rouse
and authorities don’t arrive
quickly, transport to the
nearest veterinary clinic for
emergency medical care.
Have your witnesses
call the clinic to alert them
that you are in route. Have
the witnesses wait for the
authorities on the scene to tell
them where you have gone.
If the animal is panting but
alert, GIVE AID*.
Stay with the animal until
the authorities arrive.
The Tennessee law
regarding animals in hot cars
is: T. C. A. § 29-34-209.
Go to https://www.
animallaw.info/topic/tablestate-laws-protect-animalsleft-parked-vehicles
to see if
your state has specific laws.
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