by Terri Wiebold
In the summer months, the Douglas County Animal Services Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office frequently respond to calls of dogs or other animals that have been left unattended in vehicles with little or no airflow on hot days. This can prove to be deadly.
The Humane Society of the United States recommends the following for pet owners to keep pets safe during hot weather: Additional information can be found at www.hsus.org
- Do not leave pets in parked cars for any period of time. Animals left in parked cars may suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke. On a warm day, even with the windows cracked, the temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.
- Be alert to signs of heat stress - heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.
- If a pet has become overheated, immediately lower its body temperature by moving the pet into the shade and by applying cool (not cold) water all over the dog’s body to gradually lower the core temperature.
- Apply ice packs or cold towels to a pet’s head, neck, and chest only.
- Let the pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
- Take the pet to a veterinarian right away - it could save the pet’s life.
If an animal is left in a car and is showing signs of heat stress, call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 303-660-7505. Colorado law states that it is illegal to leave a pet in a vehicle in a manner that endangers the health or safety of the animal. A person could be charged with CRS 18-9-202 (1) (a), Cruelty to Animals, a class 1 misdemeanor, if a pet is left in a car unattended with no protection against the weather.
Please remember to treat and all pets humanely, and try to keep cool for the summer.
