With the summer heat on the rise, the Berlin Police Department is urging the public to avoid leaving pets—particularly dogs—unattended in parked vehicles, warning that the practice is not only dangerous but may also lead to criminal charges under Vermont law.

Even on days with seemingly mild temperatures, vehicle interiors can become deadly within minutes. For example, when the outside temperature is 80 degrees, the inside of a parked car can soar to over 100 degrees in as little as 10 to 20 minutes. These extreme conditions can quickly lead to heatstroke, organ failure, or death in animals that cannot adequately cool themselves.

“We understand that people love their pets and may not realize how quickly a vehicle can become hazardous,” the department said in a statement. “But leaving an animal in a hot car can be fatal—and it is illegal.”

Under Vermont law—specifically 13 V.S.A. § 352—cruelty to animals includes failure to provide adequate protection from the weather, or placing an animal in a situation that causes unnecessary pain or suffering. Consequences for violating this law can include:

The Berlin Police Department says it responds to multiple calls each summer involving pets in distress inside vehicles. Officers emphasize that the community plays a crucial role in protecting animals by remaining vigilant and calling 911 if they see an animal left in a parked car.