St. Joseph County Humane Society and police team up to warn the dangers of hot vehicles

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As temperatures rise, so does the risk of tragedy inside parked cars.  

The Humane Society of St. Joseph County teamed up with the Sheriff’s Department to send a strong message about the dangers of heat exposure especially for children and pets. 

Sheriff Bill Redman and Executive Director of Humane Society Genny Brown led Wednesday’s demonstration in Mishawaka, using a digital thermometer and heat gun to show how dangerously hot a car interior can get, even with the windows cracked.   

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult. Heatstroke begins when the body reaches 104 degrees, and death can occur at 107.  

In 2023 alone, there were 163 heat-related deaths of pets nationwide, and 855 were rescued from hot cars. So far this year, St. Joseph County police have responded to 87 vehicle lockouts, seven involving children and four involving animals.   

Leaving a pet in a hot car is illegal and in St. Joseph County, fines start at $2,250 for the first offense and can go up to $7,500 for repeat violations.  

Both Redman and Brown said if you see a pet or child left unattended in a vehicle to call 911.