DRIVERS have been cautioned about leaving their pets in this sticky situation.
Pet lovers were urged to act in accordance with state “hot car” laws to avoid unnecessary fines and legal action.
GettyDelaware residents could face a $2,000 fine if they rescue an unattended pet from a vehicle[/caption] GettyResidents could even face legal troubles if they choose to save the animal[/caption]With the summer in full swing, many drivers and their pets will be going for a ride around Delaware, sometimes leaving their pets unattended.
Although several states have strict laws that don’t allow animals to be left in vehicles, Delaware has more specific instructions for these circumstances, as per Delaware Online.
Most states are vigilant about leaving pets alone in vehicles, whether it’s hot or cold outside, while others have laws detailing who is allowed to help out a furry friend in need.
There are 31 states that have specific laws about aiding animals that are left unattended in cars.
According to Michigan State University College of Law’s Animal Legal & Historical Center, some states allow passersby to rescue a trapped animal, whereas other states only allow a protected group of people that ability.
As per Delaware law, “confining an animal unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in which the temperature is either so high or so low as to endanger the health or safety of the animal” is considered a class A misdemeanor.
The law states that an “animal” does not include fish, crustaceans, or mollusks, according to the Delaware Code.
There are 21 states, Delaware included, in which only certain public officers have the right to rescue pets that have been left alone in a vehicle.
These officers have the right to do so if they believe the vehicle conditions “are likely to cause suffering, injury or death to the animal.”
Although it can be tempting to sympathize with an unattended pet, Delaware law is clear about who is allowed to act under these circumstances.
There are harsh consequences for those who decide to be heroic and act impulsively.
If a resident tries to rescue an unattended animal, they could be facing a whopping $2,000 fine.
Additionally, that person could be sued depending on the situation and the severity of the damage to the animal, vehicle, and respective owner.
Officers, who are allowed to act, will be granted civil immunity if the vehicle is damaged during the rescue efforts.
Penalties for rescuing pets from hot cars
Delaware, along with 20 other states, has a law allowing designated public officials to rescue pets from unattended vehicles when the conditions inside are likely to cause suffering, injury, or death.
These officials, such as police officers, animal cruelty investigators, animal control officers, and firefighters, are granted civil immunity from any car damage incurred during the rescue.
In Delaware, if a person attempts to rescue an animal from a hot car without being authorized by law, they could face penalties, including fines up to $2,000 or even a lawsuit from the vehicle owner.
Other states have “Good Samaritan” laws that allow anyone to break a car window to save an animal in danger.
The group of protected officers includes Delaware police, animal cruelty investigators, animal control officers, and firefighters.
Rescuing the animal is only the first step in keeping it safe.
Officers are then asked to reach out to the pet’s owner if possible.
If that’s not possible, officers can take the pet to a shelter with a note including their contact information, office, and address of where the animal was taken.
The law is clear that the owner of the vehicle and the pet are not liable for any damages or injuries that the rescuer may have faced during the process.
Some states also enforce a third “hot car” law, also called the “Good Samaritan” law, which protects anyone who rescues pets from scary situations.
There are roughly a dozen states with “Good Samaritan” laws, but Delaware is not one of them.
Another quirky behind-the-wheel law states that drivers who drink too much caffeine could be charged under broader reckless or impaired driving laws.
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