Animal Welfare - Dogs in Hot Vehicles

Category: Report Animal Concern

Dogs in hot vehicles NRS 202.487 and WCC 55.190:

WCRAS received 728 calls for dogs or cats left in vehicles in 2018.
On an 85 degree day, the inside of a vehicle can reach 102 in only ten minutes, even with the windows cracked.
Within 30 minutes, the car’s interior can reach 120 degrees.
A pet can quickly suffer from brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation.
Animal Control Officers can and will take the necessary action to retrieve an animal from a vehicle, including breaking a window, door lock, or other measures to rescue the animal.

What to do when you come across an animal locked in a hot vehicle:

Call us immediately at 775-322-3647. Do not report this online!
Get the vehicle’s license plate number, pet description and vehicle description.
If there is a business nearby, request an emergency announcement be made with the descriptive information.
Go back to the vehicle and wait for WCRAS to arrive. Do not enter the vehicle and do not confront the animal owner!

Tips for prevention and treatment of overheated animals from HSUS and ASPCA

For additional information, please contact Washoe311 Service Center at:

Updated 11/7/2019 4:56 PM

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