DMV to warn motorists about leaving pets in hot cars

RENO - At the urging of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles plans to warn motorists that leaving dogs and cats unattended in hot cars is a crime.

DMV spokesman Tom Jacobs says his agency will follow California's lead by adding language to the state driver's handbook warning motorists about the law.

PETA, in a letter sent Thursday to Nevada DMV Director Edgar Roberts, says the action would save lives.

Jacobs says Roberts considers it a reasonable request, and plans to update the electronic version of the handbook as soon as possible and the print version sometime after the end of the 2011 Legislature.

PETA says on a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to over 100 degrees in minutes.