Pets Suffering from Heatstroke in Parked Cars
- by: R Howell of Missouri
- recipient: Protect pets left in parked cars from suffering heatstroke in ALL states.
This is per an article from the ASPCA website.
As many parts of the country struggle with recent heat waves, we have all seen the disturbing news reports of pets, mostly dogs, dying from heatstroke as a result of being left in parked cars. Even with the windows cracked the temperature inside can climb to 140 degrees and despite intervention pets may not survive.
Even on a relatively mild 95 degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of a car to reach 102 degrees and within 30 minutes, the inside of the car can be a staggering 120 degrees. Leaving windows open a few inches does not help. Furthermore, when it comes to the body's ability to cook itself, canine physiology is vastly different from ours. While humans have sweat glands all over our bodies that help regulate our body heat, dogs cool down mostly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. In only a short amount of time, a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain.
At least 14 states (AZ, CA, IL, ME, MD, MN, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, SD, VT and WV - see www.animallaw.com to view these laws) and many municipalities have enacted laws to address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. Under these laws, police, animal control agents, peace officers and others may be authorized to enter a vehicle by whatever means necessary to remove an animal. I would recommend that if your state doesn't have a specific law addressing animals left in hot cars that you still call law enforcement, because it may be considered animal cruelty under your state or local laws.
If you're out and about on a hot day and see an animal alone in a car, you should immediately try to find the car's owner. If you have no luck, or if the owner refuses to act, contact local law enforcement and/or animal control.
The important thing is to get the dog out of the car, keeping in mind that you shouldn't put your life in danger, either. You should also keep a few copies of the ASPCA's Pets in Hot Cars flyer in her glovebox to give out when appropriate. For a copy of this flyer please visit www.ASPCA.org website.
If you agree that all states should have laws protecting pets from suffering heatstroke in parked cars please sign this petition.
On a releatively mild 95 degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of a car to reach 102 degrees and within 30 minutes, the inside of a car can be a staggering 120 degrees. Leaving windows open a few inches does not help. Furthermore, when it comes to the cody's ability to cook itself, canine physiology is vastly different from ours. While humans have sweat glands all over our bodies that help regulate our body heat, dogs cool down mostly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. In only a short amount of time a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain.
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