Case Details

Dog locked in hot car
Pico Rivera, CA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
County: Los Angeles
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 10770
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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A Chihuahua puppy made history on Feb 14 when animal control officers under authority of a new law rescued it from a locked, parked car as the vehicle's interior allegedly temperature topped 100 degrees.

The pup is resting safely at the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority in Downey, officials said.

Animal Control Officer Erin Kelleher saved the Chihuahua in the 5100 block of Industry Avenue about 1:50 p.m. after passers-by reported the animal panting inside the car, officials said.

"The puppy was huddling inside, and as the temperature rose, we saw it begin to pant. We had to take action," said Capt. Aaron Reyes, director of operations for SEAACA.

Officers forced open a window of the white Mazda hatchback without breaking it, then pulled the pup out, said Reyes.

A California law that went into effect Jan. 1 prohibits anyone from leaving an animal unattended inside a vehicle, in hot or cold weather, with lack of adequate ventilation, without food or water or other circumstances that could endanger the animal.

The legislation was authored by state Sen. Liz Figueroa, D-Fremont.

Wednesday's incident was SEAACA'S first case under the new law, said

Reyes. He said he knew it was the first in the 12-city jurisdiction of the Downey office but was unsure whether it was the first in the state.

Officials said they believe the animal had been left inside the hatchback for at least four hours, raising concerns as the mid-day temperatures rose.

Kelleher reportedly placed a thermometer through the driver's side window and recorded the vehicle's interior temperature at 102 degrees.

"What seemingly is a nice cool day outside turns out to be a microwave inside the vehicle, and people don't realize that," Reyes said.

SEAACA has launched an investigation into the owner of the vehicle in which the puppy was found. Reyes said animal control officers left a notice on the vehicle, but the Chihuahua's owner had yet to come forward.

Misdemeanor charges may be filed following officials' investigation. If convicted, the vehicle's owner may face a $1,000 fine or six months in county jail, Reyes said.

"If they don't contact us, we will definitely be contacting them," he said.

"You expect these types of calls in the summer time. We're not used to seeing them in late winter or early spring," Reyes said.

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References

Whittier Daily News - Feb 15, 2007

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