Police: Take Care of Animals During Heat Wave

Last week, a reader in another Patch wrote in to say that she had seen a dog locked inside a black car, windows up in 97 degree weather, at a local grocery store. 

The car was not running and the windows were not open, even a crack. The woman ran inside to get help from the service desk, who announced over the loudspeaker that it was illegal to leave an animal inside a parked car for so long. After five minutes with no response, the store called 911. 

Fairfax County Police last week reported seeing dozens of similar cases across the county. They urge pet owners to use a little common sense in the summer months: if you wouldn't sit in a locked car with the windows up in extreme temperatures, don't leave your pet inside, either. Temperatures easily become much higher inside the car than outside, and many pets already have high body temperatures to begin with. 

The police department sent out the following tips in a press release: 

• Never leave pets in a parked car. On a warm day, temperatures can rapidly rise to dangerous levels. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, contact police.
• Shade and water are vital to pets. Pet owners must provide adequate shelter protecting animals from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, direct sunlight, and adverse effects of heat or cold. A dog house in the backyard with no access to shade does not protect animals from sun.
• Limit exercise on hot days. Take care to adjust intensity and duration of exercise. Watch for shortness of breath and remember that asphalt gets very hot and can burn paws; walk your dog on the grass if possible.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke. If your pet shows signs such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, fever, dizziness, restlessness, excessive thirst and profuse salivation, contact your veterinarian immediately. Take steps to reduce the animal’s body temperature; apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest, provide water and ice cubes for hydration, and move the animal into the shade or air-conditioning.