With the weather temps rising again, and most likely staying hot for the next few months, we'd like to remind everyone to not leave their animals inside their vehicle while they "quickly run inside" the store, go to eat, go to the movies, etc. (Running in "quickly" never is as quick as you think it may be.)
On a 78 degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes, and your animal may already start to experience heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Cracking your windows does very little to alleviate hot conditions inside the car.
The North Dakota Century Code (36-21.2-12) states an individual may not leave an animal unattended in a motor vehicle without ensuring that the animal's health and safety is not endangered, and a law enforcement officer may use reasonable means to enter a motor vehicle and remove an animal left in violation of this section.
We understand your animals may have anxiety if left alone at home, but think about the anxiety they are experiencing alone inside your vehicle, especially when the temperature is hot.
Please help us keep your animal safe this summer, don't leave them in the vehicle.
It's also illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you run into the store too. In case you're thinking of leaving it on with the AC blowing.
Fargo Municipal Code 8-1010 - Motor vehicle left unattended—Brakes to be set, engine stopped, and keys removed—Exceptions.
No person having control or charge of a motor vehicle shall allow such vehicle to stand unattended on any street, alley or in any public parking lot whether such lot is available to the public on a free or on a fee basis, without first effectively setting the brakes thereon, stopping the motor of said vehicle, and removing the keys thereof from the interior or any outside lock of said vehicle, and when standing upon any grade, the front wheels of such vehicle shall be turned to the curb or side of the street or highway. It shall not, however, be a violation of this ordinance to have and utilize an automatic starting device so long as the same permits movement of the vehicle only with a key. It further shall not be a violation of this section to leave the keys within a motor vehicle so long as all outer doors are securely locked and the vehicle is otherwise secured.