It's an issue run into quite often, people leaving their pets inside their vehicles as they go inside a store or restaurant.
In Michigan, the law prohibits leaving children under 6 unattended in a car if the circumstances pose "an unreasonable risk of harm or injury to the child."
But the state has no law that forbids leaving animals unattended in cars.
On Tuesday, state lawmakers will meet to discuss legislation to change that.
The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 9 a.m. to talk about a bill introduced last summer by Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. (D - 23rd District).
The bill would make it illegal to leave pets unattended in a car if the conditions could endanger the animal's health.
That includes extreme temperatures and lack of food or water.
Under the legislation, a pet found suffering, but uninjured, in car is punishable by a misdemeanor charge and a fine of $350 dollars.
Fines jump to $1000 dollars. if the animal is injured.
And If the animal dies, the owner (or whoever left it) could face a felony charge, 5 years in prison, and/or a fine of $5000 dollars.
