In summer months, animal control in Coeur d'Alene sees a surge in calls regarding dogs left in cars without water or ventilation.

The City Council on Tuesday will consider an amendment to its animal cruelty ordinance to help keep that from happening and provide additional protection for animals.

"Any improvement to the code that helps protect animals is a step in the right direction," said Vicky Nelson, development director with Companions Animal Center. "We see far too many animals suffering from abuse and neglect. We hope this change also raises community awareness about how widespread the issue truly is."

According to a staff report, animal control received 110 calls for dogs left in hot cars between March 19 and Sept. 22, 2024. Of those, 59 vehicles were gone prior to animal control arriving on scene, 49 warnings were given and two citations were issued. 

This year, from March 20 until Aug. 18, animal control received 58 calls for dogs in hot cars. Twenty-seven warnings and one citation were issued, while 30 vehicles were gone before animal control arrived.

The amendment would prohibit “Leaving or confining an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or wellbeing of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.” 

The proposed amendment is based on language from other jurisdictions. 

"Animal Control believes that adding this subsection to the Municipal Code would be very helpful in providing additional protection for animals when temperatures are above 70° F or below 32° F," the report said.

Police Chief Lee White said the amendment will create an ordinance "with a little more teeth" in citing people who leave their dogs in cars when it's too hot or too cold.

He has heard of situations when it was in the 90s and dogs were left in cars for an hour with windows barely open.

"It can be difficult to enforce," he said. 

It can also be an emotional issue. People have smashed windows to save dogs left in hot cars. 

In Washington, laws took effect in July to provide good Samaritans with legal protections when rescuing dogs trapped in hot cars under certain circumstances. 

House Bill 1046 will allow people to avoid civil liability for property damage "when taking action and breaking the glass of a car if there is no method for a vulnerable person or animal inside to escape," according to mynorthwest.com.

According to CAC, pets in hot cars are at risk for brain damage, heat stroke and death. When a car is turned off, ventilation stops and on an 80-degre day a car's interior can reach 160 degrees in minutes, even in the shade.

"It doesn't take long," Nelson said.

The staff report said animal control typically would issue a citation for violation of Municipal Code § 6.15.110(B) which states in addition to those acts prohibited by Idaho state code, the following activities are also prohibited, including "using any equipment, device, substance, or material on any animal that will or could cause physical injury or death to the animal or cause unnecessary cruelty to the animal.” 

"The equipment or device could be considered a vehicle, but subsection B lacks clarity which could lead to a successful challenge of a ticket," the staff report said.

In addition, Idaho Code § 25-3511 states, in part: “Every owner, custodian or possessor of any animal, who shall permit the same to be in any building, enclosure, lane, street, square or lot of any city, county or precinct, without proper care and attention, as determined by an Idaho licensed veterinarian, or a representative of the division, shall, on conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished in accordance with section 25-3520A, Idaho Code.” 

However, “proper care and attention” can be interpreted in different ways and, in any event, this statute requires a veterinarian or state official determination, the staff report said.

The City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Coeur d'Alene Public Library Community Room.