Police: Call ahead, avoid breaking car windows to free hot pets

Tri-Cities law enforcement agencies make it pretty clear — if you see a pet in a hot car, call the police.

Rumors have spread on social media that it’s legal to break windows on cars to help set pets free if you take a photo and record the temperature.

Police don’t support that idea.

Richland Capt. Mike Cobb said he understands the concern if someone sees a dog or another animal trapped in a hot car, but to call police before choosing to damage property.

“Any time, destruction of private property is going to be malicious mischief,” Cobb said.

Rules may be different depending on counties or states, but is roughly the same for all the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas, Cobb said.

“Call dispatch first and foremost,” he said. “If possible, the best way to make sure it isn’t a complicated affair is to have a law enforcement officer make the decision.”

More information can be found at avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/pets-in-vehicles.aspx.

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 7:24 PM with the headline "Police: Call ahead, avoid breaking car windows to free hot pets."