It is against the law in California to leave a dog unattended in a car under circumstances that might endanger the dog.
It is also against the law to leave a child less than 6 years old unattended in a car.
The penalty for leaving the dog in the car is $100 on the first offense. The penalty for leaving a child in the car is $100.
It’s summertime. People will be visiting beaches, shopping and enjoying themselves. Sometimes they will bring children or pets with them. Sometimes they will leave their pets or children in the car while they rush inside a business “for just a moment” to do a chore.
Under the wrong circumstances, this can expose you to legal penalties.
Leaving an animal in a car
California Penal Code 597.7 says that leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle under conditions that endanger the animal’s health, you may be fined a maximum of $100 per animal, unless the animal is injured or killed. In that case, the maximum penalty is a $500 fine, six months in county jail or both. Subsequent convictions for violating PC 597.7 are punishable by a $500 fine, six months in the county jail or both.
Leaving a child in a car
Vehicle Code 15620 says that leaving a child who is less than 6 years old unattended in a car is illegal if there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety or when the engine is running or keys are in the ignition.
The Vehicle Code defines “unattended” as leaving the child in the car without the supervision of an individual who is not at least 12 years old.
The penalty: a $100 fine.
If the defendant can show to the court’s satisfaction that the fine would cause economic hardship, the court may impose comunity service rather than a fine. Depending on the circumstances, other charges might also be filed.
Crime Log Compiled
by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Tuesday, May 27
Health & Safety Violation—8:54 a.m.—13th Street—Police unit 106 found a bag of marijuana and one pipe. Taken for destruction. Report taken.
Petty Theft—12:33 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—Somone took a wallet from the caller’s car at about 11:30 a.m. that day. Loss: the wallet, a California driver’s license, the caller’s Social Security Number, debit card and $50 cash.
Wednesday, May 28
Patrol Check—8:52 a.m.—College Park Drive—The caller said there was a white van in the gardens behind the park. The caller did not see anyone and thought it was suspicious.
But it turned out that the white van belonged to a construction company. The van had broken down. The call was cancelled before a police unit arrived.
Identity Theft—2:45 p.m.—Catalina Avenue—A citizen said someone opened an online account in the citizen’s name. Report taken.
Possible Identity Theft—2:54 p.m.—Monterey Road—The caller lost his wallet the week before and just got a phone call saying his loan was approved. He was assisted in filing a stolen wallet report online. Unknown at this time if he was a victim of identity theft. Counseled.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
Friday, May 9
Extra Patrol Checks—5:37 p.m. —Ticonderoga Drive—The caller requested extra patrol checks as an unknown subject had been throwing glass bottles in her driveway and front lawn over the past few days, usually in the early morning hours. The caller was leaving for the weekend. Patrol beat unit was advised.
Saturday, May 10
Found Persons—2:23 p.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported finding two children, a 1- and a 2-year-old, wandering in the street. The caller knocked at the door of the residence but got no answer. A neighbor advised where the children lived, that the door was open and the kids went out. The father just woke up and the mother was out. Report taken.
Sunday, May 11
Welfare Check—1:05 p.m. —Bloomfield and Cerritos—The caller reported a man in a wheelchair was seen one hour earlier, and that it’s unknown if he is conscious. The man lives locally and was at the park. He is cared for by his sister. Patrol checks out okay.
Sunday, May 11
Disturbance—7:43 p.m. —Howard Avenue—The caller reported an argument between a pizza delivery girl and a man. He was upset over where she parked her car. He raised his hand at her as though he was going to hit her, and was verbally threatening the delivery girl, who had parked her car in front of his wife’s vehicle. Patrol counseled the man.
Monday, May 12
Petty Theft Report—7:43 p.m. —Cerritos and Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller reported the theft of a black bag with neon pink accents containing clothes and make up about 30 minutes earlier. Patrol searched the area, but was unable to find anyone matching the suspect’s description. No report was desired.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, May 26
Disturbance, Music or Party—12:32 a.m.—Montecito Road.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—4:28 a.m.—Rowena Drive.
Disturbance, Music or Party—5:03 a.m.—Yellowtail Drive and Foster Road.
Disturbance—9:28 a.m.—Silver Fox Road.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—6:28 p.m.—Walker Lee Drive.
Abandoned Vehicle—10:27 p.m.—Druid Lane.
Tuesday, May 27
Illegal Parked Vehicle—11:15 a.m.—Montecito Road.
Keep The Peace—11:38 a.m.—Donnie Ann Road.
Keep The Peace—1:09 p.m.—Hillrose Drive.
Identity Theft—4:55 p.m.—Copa De Oro Drive.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—9:25 p.m.—Bostonian Drive.
Wednesday, May 28
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—11:28 p.m.—Argyle Drive.
Thursday, May 29
Burglary in Progress—8:50 p.m.—Edgeley Place.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—6:58 p.m.—Foster Road and Mainway Drive.
Illegal Parked Vehicle—12:08 p.m.—Walker Lee Drive.
Friday, May 30
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—4:25 p.m.—Walker Lee Drive and Martha Ann Drive.
Traffic Stop—12:15 p.m.—St. Cloud Drive and Hillrose Drive—This traffic stop resulted in an arrest. He was released on his own recognizance—his promise to appear in court—without having to post bail, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The OCSD website does not provide information about charges against arrestees.
Saturday, May 31
Terrorist Threats Report—3:50 p.m.—Foster Road—A terrorist threat, also known as a criminal threat, has nothing to do with a terrorist organization. State law defines a terrorist threat as a threat to harm another person that is made by an individual who might be capable of carrying out that threat.
Disturbance, Music or Party—9:47 p.m.—Pemberton Road and Harrisburg Road.
Sunday, June 1
Petty Theft Report—3:51 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Ted Apodaca of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
