While temperatures are lowering from the heat wave earlier in the week, officials are warning pet owners of the dangers of leaving the furry companions in their cars as the summer goes on.

Dartmouth Police officers responded to a number of recent reports of animals locked in cars, including one at the Dartmouth Mall on June 30 — which saw temperatures in town reach as high as 93 degrees, according to police spokesperson Det. Kyle Costa.

“On a 90 degree day, you can bet your bottom dollar that our sole concern is to make sure that animal is safe and taken care of,” he said.

Under Massachusetts state law, it is illegal to keep an animal confined in a vehicle when extreme heat or cold may threaten the animal's health. Pet owners who violate the law can face potential criminal charges.

The law also authorizes animal control officers, law enforcement officers and firefighters to enter the vehicle to prevent imminent injury or death of the animal.

“Make no mistake, we’ll make every effort possible to try to raise the owner,” Costa said. “But if an animal is in distress, we’ll make no bones about the fact we’ll break that window.”

Melinda Ventura, executive director of the Humane Society and Shelter Southcoast in North Dartmouth, noted that even with temperatures at 70 degrees, it will get to 89 degrees inside the car after only ten minutes.

“It is way way too hot for your dog to be locked in a car,” she said. “It’s basically a greenhouse with those car windows.”

While modern cars can run on a remote start with A/C on, Venura said “a lot of them have a time limit on them.” 

“For instance, my car only runs for five minutes and then it shuts off,” she added.

Unlike humans, pets do not have sweat glands to help keep them cool. Instead, their source is through panting — which is inefficient. If kept in a hot car too long, pets can suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke.

Signs of distress to look out for, Ventura said, include heavy panting, a high heart rate, disorientation, vomiting, and possible seizures. Pets should immediately be taken to a veterinarian if this is the case.

With the heat from summer temperatures, Ventura recommends that pet owners simply leave their companions home in a cool area with a water bowl and some ice cubes. She added that pets should only tag along on trips if they are to pet-friendly areas.

If anyone does spot a pet locked in a car, officials recommend trying to alert the driver if they can and then calling Animal Control or the police department.

“With a pet comes responsibility,” Costa said. “People have to keep that in mind.”