The dog days of summer are here. That means fun in the sun, but it also means rising temperatures, especially inside parked cars. We all like to take Rover along for the summer fun, but this can be a fatal mistake. Every year, countless dogs die from overheating inside parked cars. Dogs need you to speak up for them when the temperatures are rising and the car doors are locked.
On a cool 70-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 120 degrees in minutes, even in the shade. Even leaving a dog for "just a minute" to run an errand can lead to heatstroke or even death. Luckily, these tragic consequences are entirely preventable. You can make the difference between life and death.
If You See a Dog Left in a Car...
- Take down the car's color, model, make, and license-plate number. Have the owner paged in nearby stores, and call local humane authorities or the police.
- Have someone keep an eye on the dog. If the police are unresponsive or take too long to arrive and the dog's life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness (or several) who will back your assessment. Take steps to remove the suffering animal, and then wait for the authorities to arrive.
