There is really no excuse for leaving your dog locked in a hot car on a sweltering day. Maybe you thought you’d only be a minute while you ran your errand — but there was a line at the bank. Or maybe you ran in to get a frozen yogurt and cruelly left your dog in a death trap. A Colorado local news anchor came across just this situation and confronted the dog’s owner.
Dog locked in sweltering car
When a local NBC anchor, Kyle Clark, noticed a dog crying loudly in a locked car on a 90-degree day, he wanted to throw a rock and smash the window. But he thought it best to mind his own business. He returned later and found the dog still crying and still locked inside the Honda CR-V, with no owner in sight. So, he called 311 for help and waited on hold beside the CR-V in a Denver, Colo. parking lot. Shortly thereafter, the owner emerged from a frozen yogurt shop.
“Do you know how hot it is in 90-degree sun when you’re wearing a suit, or fur, in a car?” Clark asked on a KUSA broadcast detailing the incident. His message to the owner went viral, with over 1.2 million views and over 21,000 shares.
Clark told the owner, “Please don’t leave your dog alone in a hot car,” but the owner laughed and blew him off. When he added, “I’m sure you love your dog and meant him no harm,” the owner laughed again.
“So there’s an apology in order. Not for you, no,” Clark said, “for your dog. I’m sorry that your dog does not have better humans.”
Save a distressed dog in these states
The owner of the vehicle could have been charged for leaving a dog in a hot car. The act, according to the Denver Animal Shelter, constitutes animal cruelty and is punishable with a fine of up to $999 and a year in jail.
Denver is not alone in its fight against cruel owners who leave their pets in hot cars. New legislation allows you to take swift action to save a dog in distress — before it’s too late. More than 20 states and many municipalities in the United States have made it a crime to leave an animal in a hot car as part of their anti-cruelty laws, says the Humane Society.
In 2015, Tennessee passed the first such law in the nation to end this cruel practice. Since then, Florida and Wisconsin have joined the fight. Similar bills are in the works in Ohio, Michigan and Massachusetts. California also is moving ahead, with strong bipartisan support. Meanwhile, Virginia just passed a law in 2016 giving civil immunity to first responders who act to rescue a pet, according to the Humane Society.
What to do if you find a dog in distress
Hundreds of dogs each year die when they are left alone in unattended, searing-hot vehicles. Maybe the owners just don’t understand the consequences of leaving a dog in a hot vehicle — and maybe they don’t care.
Even with the car windows rolled up on a comfortable day, temperatures inside a car can spike in an instant, creating a life-threatening situation for an animal. On an 80-degree day it takes just 10 minutes for the car to heat up to 99 degrees, and it doesn’t help to roll down the window a crack either. Animals don’t have sweat glands to release their heat.
If you come across an animal in distress:
- Take down or take a picture of the car’s make, model and license plate number
- If there are businesses nearby, notify a manager or security guard and ask them to make an announcement to find the car’s owner
- If the owner can’t be located, call the non-emergency number of the local police or animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive
- Before removing an animal yourself, make sure you live in a state that allows you to do so legally. And be sure you know the laws in your area and follow any steps required
How to keep your dog cool this summer
Keeping your dog cool in the summer is essential. Unlike humans, dogs can’t perspire to cool off their skin. In fact, a dog’s sweat glands are located around its footpads. That’s why when a dog is overheated, you will see a trail of wet footprints across the floor. Instead of relying on sweat to cool down, dogs also pant with their mouths open.
On a hot day (especially locked in a vehicle), a dog can easily overheat. This condition is known as hyperthermia and eventually leads to heatstroke, according to Stanley Coren Ph.D., F.R.S.C. An overheated dog will look sluggish and act confused. He probably will be panting very hard. If left trapped and unattended, the dog could collapse, have a seizure, go into a coma and die.
Cesar Millan, the dog trainer and canine expert, suggests the following for keeping your dog cool:
- Exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night to avoid peak sun periods
- Protect his feet from the hot pavement with doggy boots
- Watch for signs of dehydration. If you lift your dog’s skin, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place
- Keep your dog hydrated — darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats. Carry a bottle of water for long walks
- If you don’t have air-conditioning, set up a kiddie pool under a cool tree or in the shade
- Spray your dog’s paws and stomach with cool water
- Let your dog dig. Dogs dig to keep cool
And never leave your dog (and best friend) in a parked car. A car retains heat even if it’s parked in the shade.
In addition, a dog could get overexcited in the car due to a passersby or panic from claustrophobia, making dehydration more likely to happen. On longer trips, make sure you always have water for your dog and keep the AC running!
—Katherine Marko