Sheriff's Office: Cracked Window Not Enough For Pets

Just because your window is cracked in your car for your pooch, doesn't mean it's still safe for the dog.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is reminding pet owners that it's never safe to leave your dog or any pet in a car in Florida even with the windows down a little bit because there's not enough ventilation. 

The sheriff's office says Public Service Aides have recently responded to several complaints about dogs being left in hot cars with the window down just a few inches. In one case they were just about to break the window to rescue the dog when the owner came out of the store.

Owners can be cited for leaving a dog in a parked vehicle without adequate ventilation, the sheriff's office says:

"While people ask how long they can leave their dog unattended in a car – the best answer Animal Services can offer is never. The temperature inside a parked car is always higher than the outside temperature. In Florida, even with the windows open, a parked vehicle can become a furnace and heatstroke can develop."

The sheriff's office says if you're going to be running errands, making stops, it's best to leave man's best friend at home.

For more information on traveling with pets, visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at www.aspca.org.