With high summer temperatures approaching, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is reminding the community about caring for pets during hot weather.

Deputy Joshua Stamsek with the Crime Prevention Unit in Saugus explained what steps the public should take in regards to animals in distress.

“If you happen to go grocery shopping and you see an animal inside of a vehicle and the animal looks distressed, it’s important to follow these steps” said Stamsek. “Please call your local agency and notify us that the animal is in distress in a hot vehicle. We will respond out and try to take care of the animal.”

Following the passing of Assembly Bill 797.7  in January, which made it legal for bystanders to break into locked vehicles to rescue trapped pets, many questions arose concerning the legal procedures of freeing an animal in a hot car.

Stamsek laid out some guides to what the public needs to consider when rescuing an animal from a hot vehicle.

“If you take it upon your own hands, please remember, have your actions be necessary and reasonable,” said Stamsek. “See if the vehicle is unlocked first. Also, look for the owner of the vehicle. (The) most important thing is to notify your local law enforcement agency.”

Since the law was implemented, first responders answered several calls in the Santa Clarita Valley where dogs were locked inside hot vehicles for extended periods of time.

In one instance, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy had to use her baton to shatter the rear passenger window to free a trapped dog.

For those interested in more information about legal procedures for rescuing animals from hot vehicles, click here.

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