1 day ago
Warm weather isn’t far away in Washington state.
With warm weather comes many things, including hotter cars.
A sitting vehicle heats up quickly when it’s warm out. The temperature inside a parked car can reach dangerous, potentially deadly, levels in as little as 10 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
What happens when animals are kept inside cars? Can you face legal action for rescuing a dog or cat from a locked vehicle?
Here’s what to know:
How hot do parked cars get?
When the temperature outside a car is 70 degrees, the inside of the vehicle can exceed 115 degrees in just minutes, according to a 2005 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dogs experience heat exhaustion when their body temperature hits 103 degrees, according to Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
If the temperature is above freezing and below 70 degrees, you can safely leave your dog in the car for no more than five minutes.
Is it legal to leave my dog in my parked car in Washington state?
In Washington state, it’s against the law to leave any animal alone in a car or another enclosed space if they could be killed by excessive heat, excessive cold, lack of ventilation or lack of water.
The maximum fine for this civil infraction is $125.
Some electric cars have safety modes that keep them cool, although these modes are not recommended for extended use.
For example, Tesla owners can control the inside of their car’s temperature with an app.
According to the electric vehicle company, the “dog” function maintains a comfortable cabin temperature for pets while left alone inside the car.
When in dog mode, the car’s touchscreen will display the inside temperature to inform those walking by that the pet is safe.
The setting should only be used for short periods of time while the pet owner is close by, according to Tesla.
Rivian has a similar feature.
The electric vehicle’s “pet comfort” mode allows owners to set their car’s inside temperature between 68 degrees and 74 degrees.
Like Teslas, those passing by the car can read a message that the pet is safe and comfortable inside.
However, most cars do not have this option.
Officials say people commonly use auto-start to keep their car cool while leaving an animal inside. However, that feature generally comes with a time limit, and the car turns off again before long.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke in dogs?
It’s important to know the signs of heat stroke in dogs.
Instead of sweating across their entire body, dogs mainly sweat through the merocrine glands in their paws, according to the American Kennel Club.
They also pant and rely on the expansion of their blood vessels to regulate their body temperature.
“Heat stroke is a serious concern for all dogs,” the American Kennel Club states on its website, especially those with short noses and flat faces.
The signs of heat stroke in dogs include:
Dehydration
Body temperature of more 105.8 degrees and the dog feels warm to the touch
Bright red gums
Rapid or irregular heart rate
Muscle tremors
Lack of coordination
If you’re outside of a locked car and cannot physically assess the dog, look out for the following symptoms:
Unconsciousness
Seizures
Vomiting
Excessive drooling
Heavy, frantic panting
Can I break into a car to rescue a dog in Washington state?
Prior to 2025, it was not legal in Washington state for passersby to break into a locked car with a dog inside, no matter its condition. Instead, you had to contact animal control to respond to the trapped pet.
However, a new law that went into effect in July 2025 expanded on “Good Samaritan” protections, giving legal protection to those who enter a locked vehicle to rescue a vulnerable pet — or person.
One of the bill’s sponsors, Washington state Rep. Mari Leavitt of Pierce County, said the law is intended to “protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“Too often, people hesitate to act in emergencies because they fear legal consequences,” Leavitt said in a Facebook post. “HB 1046 ensures that doing the right thing won’t be punished when someone’s life — or a pet’s — is on the line.”
You must meet certain criteria in order to be protected through the law:
Check that the vehicle is locked, and that the vulnerable person or pet can’t exit without assistance.
Act in good faith that the person or pet is in danger, and that breaking into the car is necessary to protect them.
Do not use more force than necessary to get into the car.
Notify law enforcement.
After removing the person or pet from the vehicle, wait with them until help arrives.
This story is based on previous coverage from June 2025, and includes additional reporting by McClatchy Media’s Daniel Schrager.
