Leaving your pet in a vehicle is not only dangerous, it's against the law
Contributed by the Columbia Police Department

All the signs of autumn are here - students are back in school, fall clothes are hitting the stores, and football season is about to start.

But despite fall's nudge, the summer heat is going to be sticking around for several more weeks. This can be especially deadly for pets that are left unattended in vehicles, even for a short length of time. It also can be costly for the pet's owner, who can be charged and fined for leaving their pets unattended.

Columbia police and animal control officers have received several calls this summer concerning pets that have been left in cars. Several pet owners, who were charged in the incidents, said they did not know they were breaking the law or that their pets were in danger. Many of the incidents have occurred at shopping centers in the Harbison area. The owners were shopping and said they forgot their pets were in the vehicles.

It is against the law for a person to leave any animal in a vehicle unattended. If the animal appears to be in distress, a police officer or animal control officer can remove the animal and impound the vehicle. The owner can be charged under a city code section - Prohibition; impoundment of unattended animals. For the first offense, the fine is $257.50. For the second offense, the fine is $361.25. The fine is $465 for the third offense. If the animal is in distress, the owner can face a more serious charge - cruelty to animals.

If you see an animal left unattended in a vehicle, call the Columbia Police Department at 545-3500.