Social media is full of postings regarding summer safety rules for pets including not leaving them in cars.  That would seem like a no-brainer, but just recently, I was at the post office and parked next to a vehicle with a small dog inside.  Both of the windows were rolled down part way, but the sun was shining right on the car, making it far too hot for a small animal.  I stayed by the car until the pet parent returned and got a dirty look for my efforts.  It seems that far too many people just don’t stop to think about their pets’ needs and safety.  Granted, the person may have assumed she could run right in and out of the post office, but on this particular day, there was a long line.  If it were me, I would have left, taken the dog home, and returned later, but then again, I’ve been accused many times of being an outright animal fanatic.  Fanatic or not, would you know what do if you came across an animal in distress?

Governor Hickenlooper signed House Bill 17-1179 into law earlier this year.  Part of the bill covers rendering emergency assistance to animals locked in hot vehicles. You can read the bill in its entirety here – https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017A/bills/2017A_1179_signed.pdf.

Colorado is now one of 17 states with laws to protect animals in hot cars.  Our fellow enlightened states are:  Arizona, Nevada, California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.  To the rest of the states, what are you waiting for?  This is the right thing to do!

– Cynthia Bullock