What can you legally do in SC if you find a dog locked in a hot car? Here’s what the law says
As hot as it’s been in South Carolina this summer, leaving a dog in a car for any length of time could be deadly.
But what does South Carolina law say about leaving dogs locked in hot cars and what people can do about it? A lot less than some might think.
What the law says
South Carolina currently has no law that specifically addresses leaving dogs in unattended vehicles.
There are currently 31 states that have laws against leaving an animal in a vehicle under dangerous conditions like extreme heat and cold, according to Shouse California Law Group. Some of those state laws include misdemeanor charges. The law group notes that even in states like South Carolina that don’t have such laws, a person could still be charged with a crime for leaving a dog in a car unattended under an animal abuse or animal cruelty law.
Some states go further with their dogs left in hot car laws — allowing people to rescue animals confined in vehicles under hazardous conditions, the law firm notes.
What can SC residents do?
According to the Humane Society, there are several steps a person in South Carolina can take to help if they find a dog locked in a hot car.
- Write down the car’s make, model and license plate number
- Notify a manager of a nearby business and ask them to make an announcement to find the car’s owner.
- If an owner cannot be found, call the local police’s non-emergency number or call animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive.
What if it’s not hot outside?
Even if it’s relatively cool outside, that does not mean it’s cool in a car, Humane Society says. When it’s 72 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can still heat up to 116 degrees within an hour. Also, rolling down the windows has been shown to have little effect on temperatures inside a car.
