Can you break into someone's car if a child or pet is in danger during the heatwave?
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With a heatwave on the horizon in the Portland area this week, what should you do if you see a pet or small child trapped inside a locked car?
While there are steps you can take to help them, the dangerously high temperatures are a reminder for everyone to never leave kids or pets alone inside a vehicle, even for just a few minutes.
"Death or serious injury to a pet or a child left in a hot car is 100% preventable," said Mike Benner, a spokesperson with the Portland Police Bureau. "Just use good judgment. Leave your pets at home in a cool environment and if you're taking your child with you on errands, take them inside the business with you. Do not leave them in the car."
In terms of what a citizen can do if they happen to come across this situation as a bystander, there's actually an Oregon law that allows you to break into a car if you see a child or pet in danger. However, some guidelines need to be followed first. And it should only be done in an absolute emergency as a last resort.
Before breaking into the car, some conditions need to be met first:
- Check to see if the child or animal can't exit without help.
- Child or animal is in imminent danger.
- Call police or emergency services before entering vehicle.
- Use no more force than is necessary.
- If you break the window, stay near the car until police or the owner of the vehicle arrives.
The inside of cars can heat up very quickly. Temperatures can rise by 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes, according to the Highway Transportation Safety Administration. With the Portland area forecasted to hit the triple digits this weekend amid a National Weather Service excessive heat warning that goes into effect Thursday, it's no wonder local pet owners are exercising extreme caution.
"I wouldn't want the extreme to happen my dog or to someone else's dog or child. Do whatever is necessary to make sure they are safe," said Oriana Merone, a Pearl District resident. "If we do take him outside we do really short walks and go back inside and bring lots of water."
Sarah Tauber, a veterinarian with Dove Lewis, said it's important to look for signs of heat stroke in pets to prevent a worst-case scenario.
"In the early signs, some animals will start panting excessively or just start panting. They might drool a little bit. They could get really lethargic, not be interacting with you as much," she said.
Sara Dacklin, a Portland dog owner, said she's keeping her furry friend off of the pavement during mid-day walks when temperatures go up over 80 degrees.
"We'll go out early in the morning and we'll go out late at night. Stay on grass towards the middle of the day. Keep indoors and stay cool. lots of water and she had a cooling bed," she said.
Whether you have a pet or a child or just want to keep cool yourself, it's important to pay attention to how much time you or your loved ones are spending outside. In terms of breaking into someone's car to save a child or pet in danger, Portland police said that should be a last resort and that it's best to find the owner of the car first and call the police.