Am I allowed to leave my pet in a car in Nevada?

2. What are the penalties for leaving pets in a car?

It is a Nevada misdemeanor to leave pets in cars under dangerous conditions. Punishments under NRS 202.487 include:

• Up to 6 months in jail, and/or
• Up to $1,000 in fines ³

It is rare for judges to impose jail for a first-time offense.

3. How do I fight the charges?

People charged with leaving their pet in a car under dangerous conditions can argue that the conditions were in fact safe. Helpful evidence in these cases include:

• Eyewitness testimony
• Photos or video of the animal in the car and the surroundings
• Weather reports
• Veterinary records
• Expert testimony

Another possible defense is that the defendant was not the one who left the animal in the car, and that someone else put the pet in danger.

Finally, people who unintentionally locked their pet in a car during dangerous conditions are not criminally liable under NRS 202.487. They just need to seek help to free the animal as soon as they realize their mistake. ⁴

4. Will I lose my animal?

This varies case-by-case. If local Animal Control comes on the scene, it may try to petition the court for the defendant to surrender and forfeit the animal. But this typically only happens if the dog, cat, or other pet is in dire condition. As long as the pet is unharmed, judges usually allow defendants to keep their animal with a warning.

5. Can the record be sealed?

Yes. People convicted of leaving their dog, cat, or other pet in a vehicle under dangerous conditions can pursue a criminal record seal one year after the case ends. And if the charge gets dismissed, the defendant can pursue a seal right away. ⁵ Learn how to seal Nevada criminal records.

Call our law firm for help. We offer free consultations.