Complaints of Dogs Left in Hot Cars Received up to Four Times a Week in Summer

During the past few months, the Shrewsbury police log, like many others in the region, have been dotted with calls and complaints about people leaving their dogs in hot, parked vehicles. 

You wanted to know, and Patch wanted to know, if this is common, and if so, what is done when a call comes in? 

We talked with Shrewsbury's Animal Control Officer Leona Pease, who discussed the seriousness of the threat of heat to animals, and also actions taken against those who don't keep their pets safe. 
"This is one of the worst deaths that can happen to a dog," she said. "The dog is literally cooked, as it franticly tries to get out of the car and away from the extreme heat." 

Shrewsbury Patch: Is it a major issue?   

Leona Pease: Yes, we do get many calls regarding dogs in cars. Starting about the end of April, I receive 2–4 calls a week for dogs in the car.

SP: Do you think people are getting better about understanding the danger they are putting their pup in in this weather?

LP: I find that people are not putting their dogs in peril on purpose.  I feel that people are aware that it is dangerous to have a dog in a hot car.  But, people live in denial that bad things can happen to them. 

Reasons I have found for dogs in cars: 

1. They think it is not hot enough to be a problem.
2. They think they will only be inside for a minute.
3. It was cloudy when they started out with the dog in the car.
4. They are coming home from taking the dog to the park and they are only running in for a bite on the way home.
5. The windows are open.

Reality: 

1. I tell people any time the temperature is above 50 F it is too hot to have the dog in the car. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of the car acts like an oven - temperatures can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.
2. Being in only for a minute often will end up being in for 10 minutes or more. That is plenty of time for the car to get unbearable.
3. Though it is cloudy, the amount of UV reaching the surface is significantly reduced but it is not eliminated. There is still is a heating index that heats up a closed car.
4. When you have a dog along, the first concern should be to get the dog home safely and then you can take the time to go out for a bite with your friend. Another option is to go to a restaurant where you can eat outside and have the dog with you. A less Earth-friendly option is to leave the car running with the air conditioning on high. But you cannot count on the auto start on your car to keep the car running.  Auto start only keeps the car running for about 20 minutes.
5. I often find that the windows are left open 1 – 2 inches.  That does not facilitate enough ventilation for the car not to over heat.

SP: What is done about it if someone is caught leaving their dog in a locked/hot vehicle?

LP: When I am called out on a dog in the car, I park nearby and observe the dog. Sometimes I find that the dog is not in distress. Sometimes, I find that the dog is in mild distress. The first thing I do once I observe mild distress is to take my thermometer and put it inside the car. Dogs are starting to be in distress in the upper 80s and the 90s.  Once the temperature gets into the upper 90s I get concerned and call in a police officer so that forced entrance can be initiated, if necessary. 

Only once have I had to take a dog out of a car. Luckily, I was able to unlock the door and make entrance that way. I gave the dog water and placed it inside my air conditioned van. About that time, the dog’s owner must have seen her car door open and us all around her car, as an angry lady came out of the store.  She was advised that the dog was overheated and instructed to bring the dog to the vet’s office. 

Another dog was in a pickup truck that had reached the internal temperature of 114. We were awaiting Lovey’s arrival to open the door as the dog owner came out of the shopping mall. That owner was advised that the dog was overheated and instructed to bring the dog to the vet’s office.

Each of these people stated they were only inside for a few minutes…I had been outside with their animals for around 30 minutes.

I usually give the person a stern taking to and try to educate them on how dangerous it is to leave their beloved dog in the car.  

What we are concerned with in the summer is heat stroke. Heat stroke begins with heavy panting and difficulty breathing. The tongue and mucous membranes appear bright red. The saliva is thick and the dog often vomits. The rectal temperature rises to 104° to 110°F (40° to 43.3°C). The dog becomes progressively unsteady and passes bloody diarrhea.  As shock sets in, the lips and mucous membranes turn gray. Collapse, seizures, and coma, are rapidly followed by death. 

Other consequences of heat stroke include kidney failure, spontaneous bleeding, irregular heartbeat, and seizures. These complications can occur hours or days later.

SP: Can you be arrested? Fined? 

LP: Yes, they can be arrested for animal cruelty.  I have not gone that route as of yet. I usually find that education is very effective.