Cool Tips for Travelling with Your Pets
Hot Dog, was it ever hot last weekend! It seems like summer is here in full force. While the oppressive heat can be managed in many cases with a strong dose of air conditioning and an ice-cold beverage, it isn’t so easy for our four-legged friends. Dogs and cats are especially susceptible to extreme weather. Here are a couple of COOL tips for travelling with your pets.
No matter what the outside temperature is, you should never leave your dog (or cat, or ferret, or hamster, or llama) in an unattended vehicle. The inside of a car can heat up very quickly, which can result in terrible consequences for your poor four legged friend. In fact, Harford County Code Section 64-20 says “No person shall leave any animal unattended in a motor vehicle when the temperature 70° F., except the Sheriff, a police K-9 officer, or within any vehicle equipped with a safety climate control system designed for animal transport.” Not only could this land you a criminal citation for animal cruelty, you could also be charged with a traffic citation for “endangering the health, safety, and welfare of a cat or dog by leaving them in an unattended motor vehicle.” This carries a seventy dollar fine.
“But Sergeant Eaton…I am just running into the store for a second and I always leave the air conditioning on so Bruno doesn’t get too hot.” Not so fast! Maryland Transportation article forbids leaving an unattended vehicle running. This one also carries a fine of seventy dollars plus one point against your driving record.
Believe me when I tell you, there is nothing I love more than putting my dogs (Winston and Kate) in the car, strapping on their doggie seatbelts and hitting the open road. However, if we are going someplace that doesn’t allow dogs (which should itself be a crime), it is better to just leave them at home.
Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org