LA’s City Attorney told reporters recently that charges, fines, and jail time were a possibility for people leaving their animals in a parked car in the heat.

"The facts are so clear: It takes just 15 minutes for an animal to suffer brain damage when temperatures soar on a hot summer day in a parked vehicle," he said. "Cracking a window open doesn't do nearly enough to cool your car down sufficiently.”

While our own Texas Legislature was unable to pass a bill that would have removed liability for good Samaritans who break car windows to free a trapped animal, we will try to pass it again next session. Until then, we hope everyone stays vigilant this summer.

https://patch.com/california/centurycity/you-can-free-pets-trapped-hot-cars-westwood-century-city-say-county-officials