Politics & Government

Thiele Calls for Stiffer Penalties for Those Who Leave Dogs in Hot Cars

Fines would increase and officers could remove the animal if it is in danger under proposed legislation.

On the heels of a dog's death inside a hot car, Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., I-Sag Harbor, is looking to increase the penalties for those who confine their pets in extreme temperatures.

Thiele, who has a 3-month-old Cockapoo named Colby, said he read about the incident last week, but was already in the process of making the proposal beforehand after hearing from constituents that too often dogs are left in cars in the hot sun. 

He said he researched the current state law to find "ridiculously" low penalties. "You would get a greater penalty for a garden variety zoning violation or a speeding ticket," he said.

Penalties need to be stiffer to work as a deterrent, Thiele said. His proposed legislation, which applies to owners who leave any companion animal in confined spaces when it is either too hot or too cold, would increase the minimum fine from $50 to $250 and would also more easily allow police officers to remove an animal in danger of death or serious injury.

As Patch reported last week, Dr. Andrew Pepper, a house-call veterinarian based in Sag Harbor, said his clients told him they returned to their car to find their Labrador-mix dead on July 23. It was not clear if police were even aware of the incident. 

Under the current law the fine for a first offense is not less than
$50 and not more than $100, Thiele said. A second offense brings only a fine of between $100 and $250. Under his proposal, fines could get as high as $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for a repeat offender.

Thiele said he found language in the current law that has caused officers to be "somewhat reluctant" to remove animals left in extreme temperatures. "We made some seemingly minor, but important language changes that will facilitate the removal of animals where an officer "may think" the animal is in danger," he said. 

Also, the bill will allow for an amendment where a prosecutor does not need to prove that the driver of the vehicle had knowledge of the dangerous situation. "Rather, a prosecutor will only have to show that the companion
animal was confined in dangerous conditions," Thiele said. 

Thiele said he hopes the proposed legislation also brings awareness. "Largely, I just think it's ignorance. I don't think people realize how quickly an automobile can heat up," he said. 

The bill will be up for consideration when the 2014 session begins in January.

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