(WWJ) -- Tesla announced on social media Thursday a new pet-friendly feature. The electric vehicle company claims that Dog Mode will keep the inside of the vehicle a comfortable temperature and display a message on the large screen to assure passersby of the safety of the animal.
Introducing Dog Mode: set a cabin temperature to keep your dog comfortable while letting passersby know they don't need to worry pic.twitter.com/xFU6MGZT53
— Tesla (@Tesla) February 14, 2019
It's a real problem for pet owners. Leaving a pet inside a car can be dangerous if outside temperatures aren't just right, especially in hot Michigan summers. A K9 officer died in August of 2018 after being left in a squad car for 40 minutes in the heat. A veterinarian was charged in the death of his dog after leaving it inside a hot car overnight.
Temperatures aren't the only risk. Theft of your beloved pet from a vehicle isn't unheard of. A family had their 10-month-old puppy taken from their car while they dined at a Detroit restaurant on a trip from Grand Rapids.
Michigan Senate Bill 496 proposes jail time for people in the state who leave their pets to suffer in a hot car. The punishments become more severe if the animal is found to be injured. According to WMMT It passed the senate judiciary committee in May of 2018 and is awaiting a vote.
