RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — A new ordinance in Rhinelander makes it illegal to leave pets inside an unattended vehicle for more than 40 minutes on a hot day.
WXPR Radio in Rhinelander reports the measure passed the city council earlier this summer, and so far at least one person has been cited for violating it.
Sergeant Kurt Helke with the city’s police department says they get dozens of calls from residents who spot pets that have been left in unattended vehicles. He says despite numerous reminders, children and pets are still being put in harm’s way every day.
“It’s kind of a common sense thing that you should not leave children or pets in that car because of all the[information] that has been out there about how hot it gets in a car on a hot day,” said Helke. “It’s unreasonable to leave a living creature in those conditions for any amount of time.”
He says the ideal solution to the problem is voluntary compliance by pet owners and parents. The ordinance is simply a tool they can use to deter it from happening.
An unattended vehicle can heat up to nearly 120 degrees in less than an hour on an 80-degree day. Helke says that can be dangerous for anyone left inside including pets and children.
Violating the ordinance comes with a fine of up to $300.
National statistics show that each year more than three dozen children and hundreds of pets die due to being left in a hot vehicle.
