More New Yorkers Can Save Animals From Hot Cars, But There’s a Catch

More people in New York State can now come to the rescue of animals left in cars in extremely hot days, but not just anyone can break in to vehicles to save Fido.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Wednesday authorizing firefighters and emergency personel to remove those animals from unattended vehicles.

Before you go calling 911 when seeing an animal in a vehicle in the parking lot of Wegmans or the Vestal Walmart, the bill notes that the animals can only be removed when the animals are left in conditions that put their lives in jeopardy, meaning severe heat or cold.

"Leaving a pet in a stifling hot or freezing cold car is inhumane and potentially dangerous, and emergency responders should have the ability to remove them if necessary," Governor Cuomo said in a press release. "As a dog owner myself, I am proud to sign this measure into law to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of animals."

How hot is too hot, you may ask? Surprisingly, it only has to be 75 degrees outside for the inside of your car to reach 95 degrees. If you've been in the Southern Tier for at least one summer, you know how hot it can get.