LONGVIEW — Longview officers say just in the last two years, they have had more than 200 calls about animals being left in hot cars.

Now, a Longview ordinance  says if a firefighter, or Animal Control Officer or police officer finds an animal in car on a day that hits 75 degrees or more, they can break into a car to get the pet out.  They say they will even break the window if necessary.

If caught leaving pets in the  hot car, officers say Longview drivers may be fined up to $2,000. If the pet dies, the owner may face animal cruelty charges, which is a Class A misdemeanor in the state of Texas.

The ordinance also states if a pet is in the back of a pickup, it has to be tied down and secure.