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    Can I leave my pet in a car in Nevada?

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    Am I allowed to leave my pet in a car in Nevada? 5 things to know

    Nevada Revised Statute § 202.487 makes it a misdemeanor to leave your pet in a car under dangerous conditions. Penalties include up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. Plus law enforcement officers may break into your vehicle to rescue the animal without being responsible to cover car repairs. 1

    Here in Las Vegas, I have represented countless loving pet owners who were wrongly accused of leaving their pet in a hot automobile. Oftentimes overzealous police officers and “Good Samaritans” jump to the wrong conclusions. I have a long track record of getting these charges dismissed while having your beloved dog or cat returned to you as soon as possible.

    1. Is it ever legal to leave pets unattended in a car?

    Yes, as long as the conditions do not present a significant risk to the health and safety of the dog, cat, or other domesticated pet in Nevada. 2 Examples of conditions too dangerous to leave a pet in may be:

    • during a heatwave
    • during a frost
    • in the path of a flash flood
    • in the path of a tornado
    • in a location with frequent gunfire
    • any conditions where the pet owner or sitter deprives the animal of food, water, or other necessities for extended periods

    Note that temperatures inside of a vehicle can be up to 20 degrees higher than it is outside. So even on a mild summer day in Nevada, temperatures could become dangerously hot for pets locked inside an enclosed space like a car. Law enforcement refers to these “dog in hot vehicle” cases as “hot dogs.”

    Also, NRS 202.487 applies not only to pet owners but also to pet sitters, dog walkers, and anyone else in permanent or temporary custody of the animal. Anybody responsible for keeping a pet in a car under dangerous conditions faces animal cruelty charges.

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

    It is a misdemeanor under Nevada state law to leave pets in parked cars under dangerous conditions. Punishments includes:

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

    In my experience, it is rare for judges to impose jail for a first-time offense.

    3. How do I fight the charges?

    If you are charged with leaving your pet in a car under dangerous conditions in Nevada, I would argue that the conditions were in fact safe and that the police were mistaken. What qualifies as hazardous is subjective, and the D.A. often has insufficient proof to convince a court of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The most 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 you were not the one who left the animal in the car, and that someone else put the pet in danger.

    Finally, if you unintentionally locked your pet in a car during dangerous conditions, you are not criminally liable under NRS 202.487. You just need to seek help to free the animal as soon as you realize your mistake. 4

    4. Will I lose my animal?

    If local Animal Control comes on the scene, it may try to petition the court for you to surrender and forfeit your pet. Though in practice, this typically only happens if the dog, cat, or other pet is in dire condition. As long as your pet is unharmed, Nevada judges usually allow you to keep them with a warning.

    If police do confiscate your animal, you are entitled to know where it is being sheltered. If you do not reclaim it and pay any sheltering fees within the required time frame, the shelter could then rehome your pet or even euthanize it.

    5. Can I get a record seal?

    Yes. If you have a conviction for leaving your dog, cat, or other pet in a vehicle under dangerous conditions, you can pursue a criminal record seal in Nevada one year after the case ends. If the charge gets dismissed, you can pursue a seal right away. 5

    6. What if I see an animal trapped in a hot car?

    Call the local public safety / animal control officers. The number for the Clark County Animal Protection Services is 702-455-7710. The number for the Washoe County Regional Animal Services Dispatch (WCRAS) is 775-322-3647.

    After hours, phone 911. Police officers or first responders will come to the scene.6

    Additional resources

    The following Nevada organizations help with pets in need:

    Further reading

    See our related articles on:

    Legal References

    1. NRS 202.487 (formerly NRS 574.195; NV Senate Bill 409 (2017)(“[A] person shall not allow a pet to remain unattended in a parked or standing motor vehicle if conditions, including, without limitation, extreme heat or cold, present a significant risk to the health and safety of the pet.“); the former statute made exceptions for hunting dogs during hunting season, or if the dog was undergoing training exercises or field trials.); see also Craig Fiegender, New Nevada law makes it a crime to leave pet in hot vehicle, KSNV-3 in Las Vegas, NBC (June 17, 2017).
    2. Same; see also Hot Car Rescues: What is the law in Nevada? KTNV-13 in Las Vegas, ABC (June 11, 2019); see also At what temperature is it ok to leave my pet in the car?, Washoe County Animal Services (“It would be advised to never leave an animal in a vehicle unattended in temperatures over 60⁰F”).
    3. Same.
    4. Same.
    5. NRS 179.245; NRS 179.255.
    6. Other states that have laws to protect companion animals trapped in parked cars include Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

    About the Author

    Author Avatar

    Neil Shouse

    A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.

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