Dogs and trucks go together like peanut butter and jelly. Taking your dog in cars is fun for everyone involved. But what happens when you need to run a quick errand and have to leave your dog in a parked car? Is it illegal? 

Is it illegal to leave your dog in a parked car?

It is illegal to leave your dog in a parked car in 31 states. For example, West Virginia, New Jersey, and North Carolina deem it unlawful to leave a pet in a car during inhumane conditions. 

You might consider inhumane conditions to be when it’s really hot outside. The heat can kill dogs and it’s illegal to lock your dog in the car even if the windows are rolled down. But it’s also inhumane during freezing temperatures. 

Some states consider a lack of ventilation, food, and water to be inhumane. If your dog is left in the car, crank the air and make sure it has snacks and a water bowl. 

In a few states, police officers, firefighters, animal control, first responders, or authorized humane officers are allowed to rescue animals from parked vehicles. 

However, these laws are pretty diverse, because in some states first responders can break into vehicles to rescue cats and dogs, but not birds or livestock. If drivers see a cow in a parked car, they might not be able to legally help it. 

Depending on your state, you could be protected for rescuing an animal. Some states protect people from being sued for using force to rescue a distressed dog. Some states provide civil immunity or the ‘Good Samaritan Law’ to protect civilians. 

But in West Virginia and New Jersey, it’s deemed unlawful to leave an animal in a parked car, but no one is permitted to enter the vehicle to rescue the animal. 

In states like Alabama, Kentucky, and Texas, you can leave a dog in a parked car. However, despite not having specific laws, drivers are subject to animal cruelty laws, and dog owners are held liable.  

Before taking your best friend with you and leaving it in a parked car, look up the laws in your state and make sure that it’s not too hot or cold out.