Please don't leave your dog (or child) in a hot car!!!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Now that it is summer, we must be extra careful!!

No one wants to read about a dog or child being injured or killed from being left in a hot car.

If you see an animal in a hot car, call the police (911), they do take this seriously!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for the reminder, Andy.

Some information:

Pets in Hot Cars

You've probably heard news reports of dogs suffocating inside cars on warm days. Here are suggestions for educating people about leaving pets in cars, and what to do if you see a pet in distress. The dangers: It takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Most people don't realize how hot it can get in a parked car on a balmy day. However, on a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees -- and hit a scorching 160 degrees if parked in the sun! Even when the outside air temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles can reach the danger zone on bright, sunny days. So many experts recommend not to leave pets or children in parked cars even for short periods if the temperature is in the 60s or higher. Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn't guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. And if the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Plus if a passer-by claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner will be liable. What about leaving the dog in the car with the air-conditioning running? Many people do this, but tragedy can strike -- and it has. For example, in 2003, a police dog in Texas died after the air-conditioning in the patrol car shut down and began blowing hot air. The air system's compressor kicked off because the engine got too hot. Many cars, including modern models with computerized functions, are prone to the same problem. In August 2004, a North Carolina couple lost two of their beloved dogs, and nearly lost their third dogs, as result of a similar failure. They had left bowls of water and ice in the car, and the air-conditioning on, during their shopping trip of less than 30 minutes. Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Just 15 minutes can be enough for an animal's body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at risk of permanent impairment or death. This article also includes tips on what to do if you see an animal in danger in a car, as well as some information on laws regarding this issue:  http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HotCars.php

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Thanks for posting the warning.  We actually had a car over heat when left running and the ac became a furnace, fortunately no person or animal was left in it so other than the car nothing got hurt, it did not take long for the situation to occur.

I love to take Meg along with me but unless someone is going along to watch her and the car she stays home now, and even then errands are done in a hurry. Our walks are early morning because the sidewalk gets so hot during the day, I worry about her feet and she is panting when we are done.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Great information.  So scary!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for the reminder.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

This article gives me an excuse to highlight this discussion thread!

There is legislation waiting for the NC Gov. to sign - specifically allowing rescue workers to break a car window to save an animal!!

 

http://dogingtonpost.com/nc-legislation-will-allow-breaking-into-ve...

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

This was on FB - thought it was appropriate.