Summer is here, and every year local police and humane investigators respond to hundreds of reports of pets left alone in hot vehicles.
The Humane Society of Greater Rochester is asking pet owners to pledge to never leave their animals unattended in a car.
Reno DiDomenico, director of humane law enforcement at Lollypop Farm, says the Too Hot for Spot campaign is in response to the many questions the Humane Society gets about what the laws are regarding leaving a pet in a car or what to do if you find an animal in that situation.
If you do see a pet that's been left alone in a vehicle, DiDomenico recommends that you first call 911 and then notify any nearby store managers or security guards.
"I would not get into a lecture or debate with a driver. (Just say) 'I just called the police, they're on their way.' Just let the people leave. As long as you obtain their plate number and description of the car, we can always follow up with that owner afterwards."
DiDomenico said you should not try to remove an animal from a vehicle unless it appears to be in physical distress, in which case, he says you should be covered under the Good Samaritan law.
