What Should You Do If You Spot a Car In a Hot Car?

As the summer weather gets more and more intense, it’s important that we all look out for each other, especially the most vulnerable among us. That’s why one man was furious after seeing a chihuahua locked inside a hot car with the engine off. 

TikTok user DJ Tmoney (@djt_978) posted a video with his discovery recently. It starts with Tmoney pointing the camera at a vehicle parked next to his. Inside is a panting chihuahua.

“Man, it’s that time of year,” Tmoney said. “Somebody’s about to get a busted [expletive] window. Hot as [expletive], even with the sun going down, and you’re going to leave your dog in the car without the engine running? Expect a busted window. For real, man. That poor dog.”

At the end of the video, Tmoney indicated someone may have approached the vehicle. If that person isn’t the owner, Tmoney again said to expect a busted window.

Commenters Sound Off

In the comments section of the video, viewers debated the best course of action in this scenario. They primarily fell into two camps: Team Call the Police and Team Bust the Window.

“Or just open the door,” wrote one person.

“Calling the cops would be wasting time,” said another. “It would be too late. The window remover would be faster.”

Someone else pointed out that location is everything. “I mean in a shopping mall or big store, sure, bro, but a gas station?” they wrote. “Unless the dude got them super runs he was gonna come soon.”

Others speculated that Tmoney didn’t intend to actually help the chihuahua. “All talk, no action,” wrote one person.

“Show us how it’s done, biggun,” said a second.

Should You Intervene if You See a Dog in a Hot Car?

Be very careful before taking matters into your own hands when it comes to dogs in hot cars. The American Kennel Club recommends first checking the dog to see if it looks like it is in “immediate” danger and whether the driver might be nearby. If the answer to those questions is yes and no, you should call your local authorities.

Depending on where you live, a Good Samaritan law may protect you from legal liability. But it’s not a sure thing. Some states allow bystanders to lawfully break into vehicles to save pets, but other states add major restrictions to this activity. 

Damaging someone’s property can come with stiff penalties, so beware. And there’s always the possibility that the dog might not respond well to a stranger violently entering its space.

The best way to prevent this situation is through responsible pet ownership. From the pet owner’s perspective, never leave pets alone in the car when it’s hot outside, even for a short period of time, and even if the window is open.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that the temperature inside a parked car can rise more than 20 degrees in under an hour. Approximately 250 pets die in this situation every year in the United States.

Remember: You could be putting your dog’s life at risk—and starting an unnecessary legal saga for yourself and others.

Motor1 reached out to DJ Tmoney via TikTok for comment. We’ll hop in with an update if we hear back from them.