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We recently
witnessed a troubling situation in the parking lot of Grayhawk
Plaza in Scottsdale, AZ - a small dog had been locked in a car with all
of the windows rolled up.
Since a dog’s
normal body temperature is between 100 degrees F and 102 degrees F, it
takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle to succumb to heatstroke
and suffocation. Dogs do not sweat like humans. They cool themselves by
panting and sweating through their paws, expelling heat out to regulate
their body temperatures, causing an evaporatory
reaction. If they have only overheated air to breathe, they can collapse,
suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. It takes less than 15
minutes, locked in a parked car, for their body temperatures to climb to
deadly levels. This can damage their nervous and cardiovascular systems,
often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at risk for permanent
impairment or death.
Temperatures in
a parked car can rise an astounding 34 degrees F per minute! On a
78-degree day, temperatures in a parked car in the shade can exceed 90
degrees and hit a scorching 160 degrees if parked in the sun! Even when
the outside temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles
can reach the danger zone on bright, sunny days.
If you see a dog
in a vehicle and in distress, please take immediate action! This IS an
emergency. Note the car’s make, model and license plate, then go to the
nearest stores and ask the manager to page the owner. You should also
call the police, as they can usually respond much faster than animal
control. The police have the capability & authority to enter the
vehicle and rescue the pet. Do not be afraid to react immediately, the
police will support you, as per Scottsdale Revised Code (SRC)4-2, and Arizona Revised Statute (ARS)12-2910-H.
Additional daze of summer days tips: Provide shade and water if
your dog must stay outside for any length of time. If, while outside,
your dog is in a yard with a pool, pool safety becomes a very important
issue. Your pet should be taught where the pool steps are and how to swim
to avoid the tragedy of pet drowning. Do not transport him or her in a
pickup truck’s bed. This is always dangerous, but the heat brings the
added danger of burning the dog’s feet on the hot metal. Furthermore, do
not take your dog jogging, except on cooler mornings and evenings. By
using common sense, you and your best friend can enjoy this summer and
many more to come.
With
special thanks to SPD’s Officer Travis Kirby and K9 Officer Lex.
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