Can I Leave My Doodle in the Car for an Hour on a 70 Degree Day?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Denise's recent post has made me hyper-vigilant about dogs in cars. Even though the weather here is in the mid 70's I am still watching cars and dogs for signs of trouble. Even though I wasn't sure that I needed to be watching in this temperature.

Today I was sitting in the car with Tara at a store waiting for DH to run an errand. It was about 73 degrees outside. There were 2 dogs that I was watching in the same lot. One was tied to the outside of the owner's car with a retractable leash that allowed it to run out into the middle of the driving lane at will. It was in the shade with a bowl of water. The other dog was in a car with one window cracked about 2 inches. I didn't know how long it had been there but I watched it for about 15 minutes.  It looked distressed to me but maybe it was just distressed because it was missing its person. How do I know? 

By the time DH returned the owner of the tied out dog had returned and left with the dog after receiving my dirtiest of looks.  I pointed out the other dogs to DH and he went inside the store and told an employee about our concern. Happens the owners where in the checkout line at the time and came out after thanking him for his concern.  By then I had walked over to the car and could see no water but could see another smaller dog on the floor. Both dogs were panting. The owners claimed they had only been in the store for 5 minutes but I watched the dog for 15 and he was there when I arrived! So they were wrong about that. I think people lose track of time in stores.

I did some research on ambient air temps and car interior temps and discovered that I was correct to worry about the dog in the car:

Here is an excellent article in Pediatrics-Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/1/e109.full

Here is the relevant quotation if you don't want to read the whole thing :

"We demonstrated that on sunny days, even when the ambient temperature is mild or relatively cool, there is rapid and significant heating of the interior of vehicles. On days when the ambient temperature was 72°F, we showed that the internal vehicle temperature can reach 117°F within 60 minutes, with 80% of the temperature rise occurring in the first 30 minutes. In general, after 60 minutes, one can expect an 40°F increase in internal temperatures for ambient temperatures spanning 72 to 96°F, putting children and pets at significant risk. We also determined that cracking open windows is not effective in decreasing either the rate of heat rise or the maximum temperature attained. "

 

I found it interesting that cracking the windows has very little effect on keeping the car interior cool because this is what I see many people doing.  I just wanted to pass this info along in case others were unsure at what point there should be cause for concern.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

We must all be diligent keeping our fur friends safe. I am sure people do not intentionally make their dogs suffer, it is just ignorance. I will never ever hesitate to phone the police. I will however start putting flyers on cars when I see it happen. 

I am sure most pups would prefer to be home rather than wait for an owner to return to them in the hot car.

Keep up the good work Ricki as will I.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Lisa, what are the flyers that you put onto cars?  I think you are correct about the dogs being happier waiting at home. In either case they are waiting for the owner so why not wait in comfort??

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Thanks for the information!!!!  I very rarely take Hunter in the car where I am going to have to get out and leave her.  Heat isn't my big fear of leaving her alone in the car - I really fear that someone will break into my car and steal her!!!!  Who wouldn't want a doodle right??!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Denise it sounds like there are quite a few of us who have fear of doodle theft! They really are irresistible!

[F, Calla & Luca]

But really only evil people steal them. I don't know if you can get much money for a older dog that is neutered and spayed. And evil people don't want sweet pets do they? Maybe I'm too naive and maybe there are too many evil people. I really would like to pay someone to try to take my dogs and be able to see how the dogs respond. I fear they would jump right out for the stranger.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Two markets: Laboratories, and fighting dog rings. Class B dealers sell them to the labs for some pretty fair money. The pitbull fighters don't pay as much for bait dogs, but they do pay something, especially for larger dogs.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

The evil people steal them and then sell them to unsuspecting naive people or worse. Last year on our local CL there was an ongoing drama about 2 stolen dogs. They were being cared for by the owners "friend" while she was out of town. They disappeared from the front yard while in her care.  Eventually the older dog was found but the younger one was not.  As it turns out the "friend" had sold the younger dog to some people out of state!!! OMD!! The owner eventually found out and the new owner made contact with her but in the end the new owner ended up keeping the dog (I think the old owner agreed to it).

Also there are occasional reports here of dogs stolen from fenced yards. One woman came home in time to see her dog being driven away by some strangers. She gave chase and the thieves tossed the dog out of the car (not injured) and drove away.

Hence, my paranoia.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.lcanimal.org/index.php/campaigns/class-b-dealers-and-pet...

“B” Dealer Facts

• Nearly two million companion animals are stolen each year. Many of these animals are sold to research laboratories, dog-fighting rings or puppy mills, where they are abused and often killed.
• Many of these pets find their way to research laboratories through USDA licensed Class “B” animal dealers. For a $10 fee, anyone can apply for a USDA Class “B” dealer license.
• Class “B” dealers obtain animals from state, county or city owned and operated animal pounds or shelter, (this is called pound seizure), other USDA licensed “B” dealers and various random sources. However, “B” dealers also obtain animals from “bunchers".

Buncher Facts Bunchers fraudulently obtain animals through “free to good home” ads, preying on unsuspecting people who can no longer care for their companions. They make promises of a good home and tender care, only to turn around and sell the animals, sometimes the same day, to Class “B” dealers. In attempts to gather as many animals as possible for sale to research institutions, bunchers also frequently steal family pets directly from their owners.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This just sickens me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Unfortunately, your fears are justified.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I never even thought of such evil schemes. It's hard to believe although I am sure it is true. It's enough to almost make me wish I could train my dogs to defend themselves against this sort of thing. But they'd have no chance against weapons these peddlers could have.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

My niece once had a GSD that was trained in protection. All she had to do was give her the "watch" command when she left her in the car and believe me NO ONE could get anywhere near that car or that dog.